Network18 chairman Adil Zainulbhai highlights 4.7 per cent revenue growth

MUMBAI: In a year when the news never seemed to take a breather, Network18 says it kept its focus on keeping audiences informed rather than overwhelmed. In his Chairman’s Communique, Adil Zainulbhai highlighted the network’s performance in FY26, pointing to stronger audience leadership, digital expansion and a 4.7 per cent rise in consolidated revenue to Rs 2,121 crore.

The year brought an unusually packed news calendar, from Operation Sindoor and the West Asia crisis to tariff wars and Assembly elections across key Indian states. Against this backdrop, Network18 said its focus remained on delivering news with speed, credibility and context across television, digital platforms, languages and geographies.

The network maintained its position as the #1 Indian TV news network, with its viewership share reaching new highs, according to the Chairman’s Communique. Its channels continued to lead across national as well as several regional markets.

The digital story was equally significant. Network18 said it remained the #1 digital news and information network by audience reach, while its YouTube presence recorded a 90 per cent growth in video views, putting it ahead of peers.

Beyond traditional news platforms, the company used FY26 to widen its digital footprint and build additional growth engines. Moneycontrol Super Pro and Creator were among the new offerings aimed at strengthening engagement with high-value audiences and creators while diversifying the business.

Network18 also expanded its regional journalism footprint with the launch of New Delhi-NCR, adding another layer to its local news presence. The company renewed its partnership with CNN for a third decade, extending its association with the global news network.

The financial performance came despite what the Chairman described as a challenging macroeconomic environment. Consolidated revenue grew 4.7 per cent to Rs 2,121 crore in FY26. Excluding the first quarter, which was affected by a high base created by election-linked advertising, revenue growth stood at more than 5 per cent, according to the communique.

The performance, the company said, reflected the resilience of its diversified media portfolio even as advertising markets faced pressure and broader economic conditions remained subdued.

Looking ahead, Network18 expects the operating environment to remain challenging, with geopolitical uncertainty, tighter advertising budgets, changing consumer behaviour and the spread of disinformation reshaping the media landscape.

Rather than slowing down, the network plans to use these shifts to build a more agile and future-ready organisation. Its priorities include improving performance in the news business, strengthening its leadership position and selectively expanding into adjacent categories.

With television leadership, a growing digital audience, 90 per cent YouTube view growth, new products and regional expansion forming the core of its FY26 story, Network18 is positioning its next phase around a simple idea: grow the reach, widen the portfolio and stay relevant wherever audiences are watching.