News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 Presents ‘Battle for the States’ for the 5 State Assembly Elections
MUMBAI: Termed as the decisive contest ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections in 2019, the upcoming Assembly Elections in the key states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram are set to witness a fierce political battle between the major political parties. As these states prepare for a crucial election, CNN-News18 has lined up exclusive programming to capture all the latest on-ground developments.
CNN-News18’s programming line-up ‘Battle For the States’ has travelogues, audience based shows, newsmaker interviews, Poll of Polls, Polling Day and Counting Day coverage to bring the most insightful and comprehensive coverage. ‘Reporters Project’ traverses the length and breadth of poll bound states, focusing on the common man’s issues. ‘Citizens’ Manifesto’, a special audience based show from the 5 capital cities, give a unique platform to voters to interact with their local leaders and voice their concerns and expectations. Keep ahead of the results on Counting Day, and get expert analysis of the implications. From general news to expert views and critical issues to debates, the channel will delve into all aspects of the state elections, with a 360 degree view of the electoral battle.
Veteran journalists make up the editorial team – Executive Editor Bhupendra Chaubey, Editor – Output Zakka Jacob, Deputy Executive Editor Anand Narasimhan and Political Editor Marya Shakil. The formidable editorial team will be joined by renowned political experts and commentators, Swapan Dasgupta, Vir Sanghvi and Ajoy Bose.
The ground reporters of India’s largest news network will bring the fastest and most accurate information for its viewers.
From campaigning to polling, counting to government formation – catch all the action around these crucial Assembly Elections on CNN-News18.
News Broadcasting
Network18 Q4 revenue grows 9.7 per cent, EBITDA at Rs 30 crore
PAT improves to Rs 306.6 crore, margins steady amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: Not all news is breaking, some of it is quietly improving. Network18 Media & Investments Limited appears to be doing just that, tightening losses and stabilising margins even as costs continue to weigh on the business. For FY26, the company reported revenue from operations of Rs 1,955.1 crore, up from Rs 1,896.2 crore in FY25, signalling modest top-line growth in a challenging media environment. Total income stood at Rs 1,978.2 crore, compared to Rs 1,913 crore a year earlier.
Profit after tax came in at Rs 306.6 crore for the year, a sharp turnaround from Rs 3,225.4 crore in FY25, largely reflecting the absence of large exceptional items that had inflated the previous year’s numbers. On a more comparable basis, the company’s operating performance showed signs of gradual stabilisation.
However, the quarterly picture remained under pressure. For the March quarter, Network18 reported a loss of Rs 53.1 crore, narrower than the Rs 98.1 crore loss in the same period last year, but still indicative of ongoing cost challenges.
Expenses continued to track high. Total expenses for FY26 stood at Rs 2,235.7 crore, up from Rs 2,197.8 crore in FY25. Key cost heads included operational expenses of Rs 765.9 crore, employee benefits of Rs 475.9 crore, and marketing, distribution and promotional spends of Rs 427.1 crore, underlining the continued investment required to sustain reach and engagement.
At an operating level, margins remained under strain. Operating margin stood at 2.33 per cent for FY26, marginally higher than 1.77 per cent in FY25, while net profit margin remained negative at -13.02 per cent, though improved from -14.89 per cent.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 8,957.6 crore as of 31 March 2026, from Rs 8,317.5 crore a year earlier. Equity strengthened to Rs 4,958.7 crore, while borrowings increased to Rs 3,112.8 crore, reflecting a higher reliance on debt to support operations.
Cash flows told a mixed story. While financing activities generated Rs 83.9 crore, operating cash flow remained negative at Rs -24 crore, highlighting ongoing pressure on core cash generation. Cash and cash equivalents, however, improved to Rs 33.9 crore from Rs 1.8 crore.
The numbers point to a company in transition growing revenues, trimming losses, but still grappling with structural cost pressures. In a sector where scale often comes at a price, Network18 seems to be inching towards balance, one quarter at a time.
