News Broadcasting
CNBC-Awaaz announces Union Budget 2023 special programming line-up
Mumbai: CNBC-Awaaz is preparing to cover the country’s biggest financial event, the Union Budget 2023, which will be announced by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 1 February. The channel has assembled a stellar guest lineup and power-packed programming to decode the Union Budget 2023 with live and in-depth analysis throughout the day.
The special programming will focus on every aspect covered in the budget announcement, including the nuances of the FM’s speech, insights, advice on possible developments and the impact of the budget on India’s top industry experts and market veterans.
This year’s budget will focus heavily on manufacturing, among other key sectors, in the ongoing effort to make India a global manufacturing hub, increase exports, and further push the “Make in India” movement. As a result, the special programming will cover the manufacturing sector as well as other important sectors such as agriculture, green energy, EVs, SME growth, taxation, capital gains, and personal finance.
CNBC-Awaaz’s pre-budget shows will cover key aspects of the union budget for 2023 with compelling narratives and in-depth analysis.
Big Budget Bets and Market Maange are two market specials. More will focus on the impact of Budget 2023 on trading sessions, with some of India’s leading market voices helping to decode the impact on the market. Budget Adda focuses on economic and sector growth; it is a consumer-centric analysis that demystifies the budget’s complexities. Budget Countdown discusses taxation, personal finance, and the effect of market volatility on consumers. Furthermore, the Economic Survey Special will provide a comprehensive look at the government’s annual survey.
On budget day, the channel will host an impressive lineup of business, finance, and market experts to decode the budget. Nilesh Shah (Kotak AMC), Saurabh Mukherjea (Marcellus Investment Managers), Nilesh Shah (Envision Capital), Raamdeo Agrawal (MOFSL), Madhu Kela (MK Ventures), and Shankar Sharma will be among the guests (market veteran).
Sharing his thoughts, CNBC-Awaaz managing editor Anuj Singhal said, “This year, we are expecting a budget that will have moved on from the pandemic, pushing us forward to become a powerful economy and nation. Our special programming line-up will examine the Union Budget and its effect on the economy, businesses, markets, and the general public in various segments. Through our exhaustive and well curated programming, we intend to help decode the Budget with the most reputable and prominent voices breaking it down for our viewers.”
Adding to this, Network18 Business News CEO Smriti Mehra said, “The union budget is a great opportunity of delivering the CNBC-Awaaz promise of always sharing Munafe Ki Baat and of being the audience’s trusted guide. The well thought out programming covers a range of relevant topics for our viewers and endeavours to decode and analyse the budget in the language of the viewer for their utmost benefit. We are proud to partner with some of the most renowned brands on the Union Budget 2023 on CNBC-Awaaz, such as Life Insurance Corporation of India, – co-Presenting sponsor; Mahindra XUV 400 – driven by sponsor; and Panasonic – co-powered by sponsor.’
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.
