News Broadcasting
News Nation Network launches a new channel
News Nation Network has taken another step towards expansion of its portfolio of news channels. The latest entrant from the house of News Nation Network is News State Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh. A regional Hindi News channel specifically programmed for the audience of MP/CG.
The uniqueness of channel lies in fact that it delivers news with a new outlook incorporating the pride, views, outlook ,problems and solutions of the inhabitants of these states. The channel presently goes with the theme of “ Khabren Naye Nazariye se”. With a strong network of reporters and news providers the channel aims to cover almost every part of these states. BARC data for Wk33’18 shows that it has already displaced strong channels of the state like Bansal News, India News MP/CG, Sadhana News MP/CG.
The programming of the channel is designed to cover all aspects of daily local news. Its programming mix comprises of speed news, special programs, political debates and discussions, general bulletins, reporter led stories etc.
Speaking on the occasion ,the Editor-in-Chief of the network Mr. Sanjay Kulshrestha said
“ The two states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh can be well seen as a crucible of vibrant learning, where people, even politicians and those in public life, have a strong yearning for excellence and they even respect their critic as a teacher and a torchbearer. If Madhya Pradesh is a state adorned with a mix of mythological and scientific fervor, the younger Chhattisgarh has been bestowed upon with the best of the tribal innocence and a rich and thriving natural habitat. News State MP/CG brings to the fore front the uniqueness of these states through pure news , right from the hinterland to the much sophisticated urban centers, I am sure that News State MP/CG will touch new heights in times to come .”
The network’s revenue head and President -Sales & Marketing, Mr. Abhay Ojha commented
“ MP/CG is the heart of the Hindi Speaking Market , about 15 % of National Hindi news viewership comes from this region which is almost equal to that of Delhi, Mumbai & Kolkata combined, it indicates to a higher news consumption in these markets , since News State MP/CG serves news with a highly localized content keeping in view the dynamics of national news environment as well its sure to become popular among viewers here. From the revenue perspective both the states have good potential in terms of tourism, education , real state , heavy industries and start-up as well. In the first week itself ,we have displaced some of the established players in terms of viewership .In spite of existing competition we feel confident to achieve good revenue figures. The marketing campaign for the channel is under process and you will soon see this on the ground ”.
News state MP/CG is widely distributed across all major MSOs of MP & CG including DTH platforms of Airtel TV and Tata Sky. Its noteworthy to mention that the network’s National Hindi News channel “ News Nation” had already positioned itself amongst Top 5 channels in the Hindi News genre while its regional news channel of Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand , News state UP/UK has remained No.1 since its launch.
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.
