ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • Zee posts Rs 1,115 crore profit as legal heat with Star rises

    Zee posts Rs 1,115 crore profit as legal heat with Star rises

    MUMBAI: Just when you thought the drama was reserved for primetime, Zee Entertainment’s first quarter of FY26 delivered its own plot twist, a cocktail of climbing profits, flat revenues, and a billion-dollar legal cliffhanger.

    For the quarter ended 30 June 2025, Zee posted a standalone profit of Rs 1,115 million, up from Rs 469 million in Q4 FY25. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 16,839 million, a steep drop from Rs 20,042 million in the previous quarter and Rs 20,007 million a year ago. Yet, the bottom line perked up thanks to lower operational costs (Rs 9,574 million), subdued ad spends (Rs 2,531 million), and a positive fair value gain of Rs 185 million.

    Consolidated numbers tell a slightly flashier story: Zee clocked Rs 18,498 million in revenue and a net profit of Rs 1,437 million from continuing operations, despite a decline from Rs 22,203 million in the previous quarter. No surprises ad revenue dipped to Rs 7,585 million from Rs 8,375 million, while subscription revenue held steady at Rs 9,817 million.

    Zee managed to tame the finance cost dragon just Rs 77 million this quarter and depreciation remained under Rs 600 million. Tax outgo was Rs 535 million on a consolidated basis, including Rs 473 million current tax.

    What’s missing from this quarter? Exceptional items. After a Rs 2,024 million pre-tax profit in Q4, Zee reported no one-offs this time, a marked shift from the Rs 361 million in restructuring costs and write-offs reported in the same quarter last year.

    Still, the real cliffhanger lies in the 1,003 million dollars legal dispute with Star India. Star claims the termination of their Alliance Agreement was valid and now wants damages that have ballooned from 940 million dollars to over a billion dollars as of April 2025. Zee’s defence? A robust counterclaim and demand to recover 8 million dollars plus interest with arbitration hearings slated for November.

    Meanwhile, Zee has been busy spinning off new stories. It incorporated two new entities lbullet Enterprise Limited and Advance Media Distribution Limited in June 2025 to bolster distribution and vertical synergies.

    And for those keeping score on compliance subplots: the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) overturned SEBI’s order against one of Zee’s KMPs last October, although investigations continue. For now, it’s one less legal plotline to follow.

    With the company’s consolidated EPS at Rs 1.50 and a market bracing for the November arbitration climax, Zee seems to be scripting a cautious yet intriguing comeback.

    Zee may be facing more than just viewer fatigue but for now, it’s dodged the ratings dip where it matters most: the bottom line.
     

  • CM Devendra Fadnavis confirms implementation of NEP’s three-language formula in Maharashtra at ‘Mumbai Tak Baithak’

    CM Devendra Fadnavis confirms implementation of NEP’s three-language formula in Maharashtra at ‘Mumbai Tak Baithak’

    MUMBAI: Mumbai Tak, the digital news platform from the India Today Group, successfully hosted its premier event, ‘Mumbai Tak Baithak’, yesterday in Mumbai. The event served as a dynamic platform for dialogue on Maharashtra’s political, social, and developmental landscape, bringing together an influential array of leaders, thinkers, and first-time legislators.

    Delivering a significant policy update, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the three-language formula outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) will be implemented across the state. During his keynote interaction, Fadnavis also hinted at potential BJP strategies for upcoming municipal elections, stating that while the party may form alliances for the BMC elections, it may also contest independently in other municipal corporations.

    The event featured a distinguished line-up of participants including deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, senior leaders Balasaheb Thorat, Chhagan Bhujbal, Aditya Thackeray, and Bala Nandgaonkar, as well as a new generation of public representatives such as Sneha Dubey, Babasaheb Deshmukh, and Sana Malik. Further enriching the discussions, Padma Shri awardee and social activist Girish Prabhune, and renowned economist and public intellectual Dr. Narendra Jadhav, and the special public prosecutor, who has also been nominated as the member of Parliament by the President of India, Ujjwal Nikam shared their insights on governance, equity, and regional development.

    Reflecting on the event’s impact, Milind Khandekar, managing editor of TAK Channels, stated “Mumbai Tak Baithak is our effort to spark meaningful conversations from Maharashtra’s heartland — connecting people, policy, and power through credible digital journalism.”

    With a growing digital footprint of over 4.3 million subscribers and 800 million video views in FY 2024–25, Mumbai Tak continues to cement its position as one of Maharashtra’s most trusted digital news platforms.

    The full conversation with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is available to view on YouTube.

  • CNN-News18 stays on top, leaves rivals in the ratings dust

    CNN-News18 stays on top, leaves rivals in the ratings dust

    MUMBAI: Less talk, more traction CNN-News18 proves that in the world of English news, clarity (and clever design) really is king. According to the latest BARC data (Week 27, 2025), CNN-News18 has tightened its grip on the No. 1 spot in India’s English news genre, clocking a market share of 33.7 per cent, far ahead of NDTV 24×7 at 21.2 per cent and Times Now at 19.8 per cent. That’s a 70 per cent lead over Times Now and 59 per cent over NDTV, putting the channel miles ahead in the TRP tug-of-war.

    CNN-News18’s dominance isn’t just a flash in the pan, it’s been India’s top English news channel for over three years. And it’s not resting on those laurels. From investing in cutting-edge tech to doubling down on editorial depth, the network is clearly playing the long game.

    The channel recently rolled out a slick redesign rooted in its ‘One Screen, One Form, One Stream’ philosophy, bringing together TV and digital for a seamless experience. The emphasis? Fewer words, more visuals and sharper storytelling.

    Leading the charge are newsroom heavyweights like Zakka Jacob, Anand Narasimhan, Rahul Shivshankar, and Shivani Gupta, supported by a nationwide reporter network that ensures election coverage stays comprehensive and cutting-edge.

    CNN-News18 has also found its visual voice deploying snappy graphics and easy-to-digest explainers that make complex trends and data relatable to a diverse audience. It’s serious journalism with a stylish twist.

    In a genre where attention spans are fleeting, CNN-News18 seems to have figured out how to keep viewers hooked by giving them just the right mix of depth, design, and digital smarts.

  • Profit scripted, as Network18 bounces back in Q1 FY 26

    Profit scripted, as Network18 bounces back in Q1 FY 26

    MUMBAI: Who needs a plot twist when your earnings season delivers one? Network18 has returned to the profit stage with a Q1 performance that reads more like a financial thriller than a media earnings report. For the quarter ended 30 June 2025, Network18 Media & Investments Limited reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 148.85 crore, reversing a net loss of Rs 195.36 crore from the same period last year. The surprise twist? A windfall from revaluing its stake in Eenadu Television Private Limited (ETPL), which contributed Rs 150.64 crore as an exceptional gain after ETPL ceased to be an associate effective 7 July 2025.

    On a standalone basis, the plot thickens further Network18 clocked a net profit of Rs 516.17 crore, a sharp rebound from a loss of Rs 74.65 crore in Q1 FY25. This included an exceptional income of Rs 587.01 crore due to the revaluation of its 24.5 per cent stake in ETPL.

    Operating revenue, however, told a more subdued tale. Consolidated revenue from operations came in at Rs 467.86 crore, down sharply from Rs 3,140.92 crore in the year-ago period. A large part of this decline stems from the exclusion of subsidiaries like Studio18 Media and Indiacast Media Distribution, which ceased to be part of the group in late 2024.

    Expenses followed the trend, with total costs at Rs 550.12 crore, down from Rs 3,509.46 crore last year. Key cost heads like marketing and distribution (Rs 113.73 crore) and operational costs (Rs 100.30 crore) reflected the reshaped structure of the business.

    The company’s earnings per share (EPS) swung from -Rs 0.82 last year to Rs 0.97 in the current quarter, highlighting the impact of exceptional items.

    Among key line items, employee costs stood at Rs 185.61 crore, while finance cost came in at Rs 52.30 crore. The company recorded depreciation and amortisation expenses of Rs 34.12 crore, and reported other income of Rs 10.15 crore for the quarter.  

    In the fine print, the company noted that despite ETPL no longer being an associate, it retains economic interest in the 24.5 per cent equity stake. The financial results also include profits from joint ventures and associates, amounting to Rs 70.32 crore, further cushioning bottom line performance.

    With cost optimisation, consolidation, and strategic divestments sharpening the focus, Network18 seems to be scripting a leaner, more profitable arc for FY26. Whether this is the start of a blockbuster run or a one-off cameo remains to be seen. But for now, the credits roll on a profitable note.

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  • CNBC-TV18 Prime Circle sets the stage for a global mind jam

    CNBC-TV18 Prime Circle sets the stage for a global mind jam

    MUMBAI: The suits are getting serious and global. CNBC-TV18 Prime is all set to unveil its latest brainchild: the Prime Circle, a high-octane, invitation-only gathering of heavyweight thinkers, business titans and policy pundits. The debut edition kicks off on 16 July in partnership with HDFC Tru, promising an evening brimming with ideas, intellect and a splash of wine wisdom.

    Designed as a marquee platform for global dialogue, Prime Circle will bring together powerhouses navigating today’s fractured world from macroeconomic mayhem to AI overdrive and geopolitical chess.

    On the speakers’ list: Manny Maceda, chairman of Bain & Company; Robert Rosenkranz, chairman of Delphi Capital Management; George Yeo, former foreign affairs minister of Singapore; Shyam Saran, ex-foreign secretary of India; and Dhiraj Relli, MD and CEO at HDFC Securities. These aren’t your everyday talking heads, they’re the ones shaping the playbook.

    Adding sparkle to the evening: Sonal Holland, India’s only Master of Wine, who’ll uncork a curated tasting session to keep the conversation as smooth as the pour.

    Speaking about the event, Smriti Mehra, CEO, Business News, Network18 from CNBC-TV18 Prime said, “CNBC-TV18 Prime aims to bring the pulse of global markets to India through an India-first lens. With Prime Circle, we are creating a marquee platform for high-impact, strategic conversations that reflect the opportunities and risks for India, a global force to recon with . We are honoured to welcome an exceptional line-up of voices who offer real perspective, experience, and foresight.”

    Speaking on the partnership, Relli stated, “Our partnership with CNBC-TV18 Prime enables us to leverage our research-driven expertise to deliver actionable market insights and foster financial literacy across television and digital platforms. We look forward to co-creating impactful content, engaging with investors at marquee events, and, through the upcoming Prime Circle event, facilitating meaningful global dialogue that shapes the future of India’s capital markets.”

    The Prime Circle is CNBC-TV18 Prime’s bid to push past the predictable panel and into something punchier: a space where power meets perspective, with a twist of terroir.

  • Shashi Panja headlines Times Network Growth Summit

    Shashi Panja headlines Times Network Growth Summit

    MUMBAI: West Bengal’s economic ambitions took centre stage as Shashi Panja, minister for industries, commerce & enterprises, headlined the SRMB Presents Times Network Growth Summit West Bengal. Hosted by Times Network, the high-powered gathering brought together top voices from government, industry, and academia to map the state’s transformation into a future-ready growth engine.

    Held in Kolkata, the summit featured deep dives into Bengal’s most pressing growth levers, from AI and robotics, skilling and MSME empowerment, to infrastructure and industrial transformation.

    Among the marquee speakers were Ashish Beriwala, director, SRMB Srijan; Prof. Ved Prakash, former chairman, University Grants Commission; Vinod Gupta, managing director, Dollar Industries; and Prof. Biswajoy Chatterjee, vice chancellor, UEM Jaipur. The sessions explored ways to bridge academia and industry, catalyse intelligent ecosystems, and supercharge inclusive entrepreneurship.

    Co-powered by Dollar Industries, University of Engineering & Management (UEM) and Sister Nivedita University, with OmDayal Group of Institutions and Julien Day School as associate partners, the summit concluded with a strong cross-sectoral consensus: Bengal is ready to lead, not just follow, in India’s next wave of economic acceleration.

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  • Rituraj Dasgupta rises to GM & head of brand solutions at ABP Network

    Rituraj Dasgupta rises to GM & head of brand solutions at ABP Network

    MUMBAI: Rituraj Dasgupta has stepped into a new role as general manager and head – brand solutions at ABP Network, where he will helm the company’s freshly-minted Created Business vertical. 

    The mandate? 

    A sharp blend of content, creativity and brand strategy to deliver impact-driven partnerships.

    With over two decades of experience across advertising, media sales, and integrated marketing, Dasgupta now leads marketing strategy, client success, and partnerships at one of India’s leading media houses. Prior to this, he served as deputy general manager at ABP Group, where he steered content-led marketing solutions for national clients in West Bengal, aligning editorial insights with business outcomes.

    From stints at Mid Day, 9X Media, DNA, and The Times of India, Dasgupta brings a deep understanding of stakeholder engagement and revenue-focused brand narratives. His career has been marked by an instinct for building tailored solutions and measurable results — a trait likely to define the next phase at ABP Network.
    Now based in Mumbai and operating on-site, Dasgupta is expected to spearhead the network’s ambition to turn storytelling into a business engine.

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  • TV9 Bangla honours Bengal’s real-life healers with flair and fanfare

    TV9 Bangla honours Bengal’s real-life healers with flair and fanfare

    MUMBAI: On the eve of Doctor’s Day, TV9 Bangla pulled out all the stops to salute Bengal’s bravest in white coats. The fifth edition of the Suswasthya Health Awards & Conclave aired Sunday, July 13 at 11:30 am, celebrated not just doctors, but also disruptors in research, frontline caregivers, and even filmmakers championing health awareness.

    The glitzy gathering was kicked off by TV9 Bangla’s managing editor and business head, Amritanshu Bhattacharya, consulting editor Anirban Choudhury, and the ever-revered medical veteran, Dr Sukumar Mukherjee.

    The big applause was reserved for the big names. The lifetime achievement honours went to ophthalmology icon Dr I.S Roy and dermatology Dr Subrata Malakar. In a nod to innovation, professor Suman Chakraborty, director of IIT Kharagpur, was recognised for his pathbreaking research in healthcare tech.

    TV9 Bangla also added gravitas with two new awards named after legends—dr Subhas Mukhopadhyay, who pioneered India’s first test-tube baby, and dr Kadambini Ganguly, the country’s first female physician. Their spiritual successors—dr Subhankar Chowdhury and dr Geeta Ganguly Mukherjee—were celebrated for carrying forward that torch of excellence.

    Calcutta Medical College’s department of gynaecology and obstetrics took a bow for bridging science and the sacred process of birth. Elsewhere, Dr Kousik Lahiri and dr Debashish Bhattacharya added more sparkle to the winner’s list.

    The unsung heroes didn’t go unnoticed. Dr Tapas Kumar Das, Dr Samarendranath Roy, and nurse Dolly Biswas were quietly applauded for their tireless work away from the limelight.

    TV9 Bangla even tipped its hat to storytelling for a cause—filmmaker Kamaleshwar Mukherjee and actor Kaushik Ghosh were honoured for shining a cinematic light on public health and well-being.

    And just when you thought doctors only healed with their hands, a few grabbed the mic and took to the stage, adding some drama, rhythm, and laughs to an already dazzling do.

    Catch the full spectacle again on TV9 Bangla, where medicine met magic, and the healers had their moment in the sun.

  • MP Tak Hosts ‘Baithak’ with Key Political Voices of Madhya Pradesh

    MP Tak Hosts ‘Baithak’ with Key Political Voices of Madhya Pradesh

    MUMBAI: MP Tak, the digital-first news platform from the India Today Group, is hosting its flagship event ‘MP Tak Baithak’ today in Bhopal. The Baithak is a platform for meaningful dialogue that brings together some of the most prominent voices from Madhya Pradesh’s political and cultural landscape to engage in candid conversations around governance, development, and pressing regional issues.

    The event features a distinguished lineup of speakers including Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, BJP State President Hemant Khandelwal, Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar, Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, and Minister of Sports & Cooperation Vishvas Sarang. Also joining the conversation are OBC & Minorities Minister Krishna Gaur, senior Congress leader Laxman Singh, Congress MLA Vikrant Bhuria, and Olympic bronze medalist in hockey Vivek Sagar. Adding a cultural dimension to the Baithak are renowned poets Jani Bairagi and Mahendra Madhur.

    Commenting on the initiative, Milind Khandekar, Managing Editor of TAK Channels, said: “MP Tak Baithak reflects our commitment to amplifying voices from the heart of Madhya Pradesh. As a platform rooted in the state’s political and cultural fabric, we aim to facilitate conversations that matter — directly with the key stakeholders. The overwhelming support from our viewers encourages us to create more such spaces that connect policy with people and highlight local issues through credible digital journalism.”

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  • Eenadu TV no longer an associate; NW18 assigns voting rights to promoter

    Eenadu TV no longer an associate; NW18 assigns voting rights to promoter

    MUMBAI: In a pivotal move linked to the grand consolidation of India’s entertainment landscape, Eenadu TV is no longer an associate, as Network 18 has assigned its 24.5 per cent voting rights in the broadcaster to ETPL’s promoter and continues to retain its economic rights. The transaction, completed at 2:06 p.m. on 7 July, effectively ends ETPL’s status as an associate of the media conglomerate.

    Network18 informed the Bombay stock exchange about this change via a regulatory filing. 

    The assignment of voting rights—mandated under a Competition Commission of India (CCI) order dated 27 August 2024—was part of the conditions for the greenlighting of the blockbuster merger between Viacom18 (now Studio18 Media Pvt  Ltd) and Star India (now JioStar India Pvt Ltd).

    Though stripped of control, Network18 retains full economic interest in the 24.5 per cent stake. The company said the promoter of ETPL has no ties to Network18’s promoter group, and the deal doesn’t qualify as a related-party transaction.

    As of 31 March 2025, ETPL accounted for a hefty 32.61 per cent of Network18’s consolidated net worth. But despite the shift in status, the company claims there will be no hit to its balance sheet, thanks to a fair valuation mechanism under prevailing accounting standards.