Network18 posts 10 per cent revenue growth as digital leadership widens

MUMBAI: Even without television ratings, Network18 found plenty to count. The media company delivered its fourth straight quarter of revenue growth, powered by election advertising, a resilient digital business and expanding social media dominance, despite geopolitical tensions and a subdued advertising market.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2026, Network18 Media & Investments reported consolidated operating revenue of Rs 516 crore, up 10.3 per cent year-on-year from Rs 468 crore. Consolidated operating EBITDA nearly doubled to Rs 8 crore from Rs 4 crore, while the EBITDA margin improved to 1.5 per cent from 0.9 per cent a year earlier.

The broadcaster outperformed the wider news television industry during a quarter marked by state elections, the ongoing West Asia conflict and the continued blackout of television viewership ratings. While industry-wide advertising was largely driven by government campaigns, political advertising and PSU spending, Network18 said its non-government advertising inventory consumption still grew around 2 per cent, even as the broader market declined by more than 10 per cent.

The company also said its advertising inventory consumption increased 10 per cent year-on-year, significantly ahead of the industry’s 3 per cent growth, reflecting the strength of its diversified portfolio across national and regional markets.

Digital remained the company’s biggest growth engine. Network18 retained its position as India’s largest digital news and information network, reaching more than 350 million monthly users, equivalent to 76 per cent of the category’s total digital audience, according to Comscore’s May 2026 data.

Its off-platform presence also strengthened. Total video views across social platforms crossed 32 billion during the quarter, rising 31 per cent sequentially, while its combined social media following exceeded 472 million. On YouTube alone, the network generated more than 6 billion video views in June almost twice that of its nearest competitor and maintained a lead of more than 1.5 times over its closest rival during the April-June period.

Election coverage proved to be a major audience driver. On state election counting day, News18 India, CNN-News18 and News18 Bangla led their respective markets in peak live concurrent viewership. Across television, 15 Network18 channels ranked number one in their categories during June, including CNBC Awaaz, Moneycontrol and several Hindi and regional news brands.

Moneycontrol continued to reinforce its position as India’s leading financial platform, reporting more than three times the time spent and twice the page views of its nearest competitor. Its premium offering, Moneycontrol Pro, retained over one million paid subscribers, while AI-powered Super Pro continued adding subscribers with renewal rates above industry benchmarks.

The fintech business also maintained momentum by expanding its secured lending partnerships to include Muthoot Finance, Muthoot Fincorp, Rupeek and DSP Finance, supported by improvements in data modelling and lead quality.

Elsewhere, News18.com recorded an 8 per cent sequential increase in unique users and more than 10 per cent growth in average session duration. Its election analytics platform generated 2.5 times higher homepage engagement, while hyperlocal platform Local18 contributed nearly a quarter of overall website traffic.

International affairs platform Firstpost also expanded its reach, generating more than 270 million YouTube video views during the quarter, with over 50 per cent of that audience coming from outside India. The channel’s subscriber base is now approaching 10 million.

Commenting on the quarter, Network18 Chairman Adil Zainulbhai said the business navigated a mixed macroeconomic environment shaped by elections, geopolitical uncertainty and the suspension of television ratings, adding that the company remains focused on strengthening its products so it is well positioned when advertising conditions improve.