News Broadcasting
Zee Media back in the black as December quarter delivers
Heading- Q3 profit at Rs 61.49 crore as nine month numbers swing positive.
MUMBAI: After years of red ink, Zee Media Corporation Limited appears to have found its headline moment and this time, it is written in black. For the quarter ended 31 December 2025, the network reported revenue from operations of Rs 117.35 crore, marginally higher than Rs 116.96 crore in the September quarter. Total revenue, including other income of Rs 0.94 crore, stood at Rs 118.29 crore.
More significantly, profit before tax for the quarter came in at Rs 60.33 crore, a sharp turnaround from a loss of Rs 26.66 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. After accounting for a deferred tax credit of Rs 1.16 crore, profit after tax stood at Rs 61.49 crore, compared with a loss of Rs 19.95 crore a year ago.
Earnings per share for the quarter were Rs 0.98, reversing the negative Rs 0.32 recorded in the December 2024 quarter.
The improvement was driven by tighter cost controls. Total expenses for the quarter were Rs 140.72 crore, lower than Rs 144.13 crore in the year ago period. Employee benefits expense stood at Rs 44.76 crore, operating costs at Rs 25.51 crore, finance costs at Rs 4.56 crore, depreciation and amortisation at Rs 20.29 crore, and other expenses at Rs 45.60 crore.
For the nine months ended 31 December 2025, revenue from operations reached Rs 458.98 crore, up from Rs 337.40 crore in the same period last year. Total revenue stood at Rs 461.15 crore, including other income of Rs 2.17 crore.
Profit before tax for the nine month period was Rs 27.31 crore, a dramatic swing from a loss of Rs 103.77 crore in the corresponding period of the previous financial year. After a deferred tax charge of Rs 3.94 crore, profit after tax came in at Rs 23.37 crore, compared with a loss of Rs 77.67 crore last year.
Total comprehensive income for the nine month period stood at Rs 23.27 crore.
As of 31 December 2025, the company’s paid up equity share capital was Rs 62.54 crore, with other equity at Rs 364.46 crore.
On the corporate front, the company had incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary, Zeo Media Inc, in Delaware, United States, on 4 April 2024. However, pending Overseas Direct Investment approvals, no investment had been made in the subsidiary till 31 December 2025.
Zee Media’s existing subsidiaries include Zee Akaash News Private Limited, Indiadotcom Digital Private Limited and Pinews Digital Private Limited. It also has associate stakes in Today Merchandise Private Limited and Today Retail Network Private Limited.
While annual figures still reflect the hangover of earlier losses with the year ended 31 March 2025 showing a loss after tax of Rs 100.33 crore, the December quarter’s sharp recovery signals a potential reset. For a network long battling financial headwinds, the latest numbers suggest the narrative may finally be changing from survival to stability.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
