News Broadcasting
News18 India announces special programming for Maharashtra and Haryana assembly elections
MUMBAI: After BJP’s historic win in the recently held General Elections, states of Maharashtra and Haryana will witness the battle for political supremacy. As the political parties gear-up once again for a fierce contest, News18 India has lined-up extensive programming to bring to its viewers unparalleled access and insights into these assembly elections.
Continuing the commitment of bringing compelling yet incisive reportage through a wide array of diverse formats, News18 India will present the election programming under the umbrella branding ‘Sabse Bada Dangal’. Comprising of comprehensive election special bulletins, audience based debate shows, poll of polls and interviews of the biggest newsmakers along with special editions of popular shows such as Bhaiyaji Kahin and Lapete Mein Netaji, the channel will showcase not only a detailed analysis but also an overall view of the political scenario in these states.
Through Bhaiyaji Kahin, renowned journalist Prateek Trivedi, will travel to key constituencies in the election-bound states providing a unique platform to connect voters and local leaders, while Lapete Mein Netaji will go outside the studio to bring politicians, poets and voters together on one platform to add a sharp sense of satire and humor to the political discourse. The exhaustive programming will also cover polling and counting days extensively bringing the latest trends and fastest & most accurate updates to the viewers.
Supported by a team of experienced anchors, on-ground reporters and eminent experts, News18 India will offer viewers unmatched coverage of the assembly elections. The channel will follow and present key developments, campaigns of major parties and politicians, trends, results and government formation to keep viewers abreast of minute-to-minute developments.
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.
