MUMBAI: In a quarter where the media landscape was static at best, Network18 managed to change the channel to growth. The company’s second-quarter results for FY26 show that while much of the news industry wrestled with weak ad demand, Network18 found its own breaking news: a 7.2 per cent year-on-year rise in operating revenue, clocking Rs 477.2 crore in Q2 FY26, up from Rs 445.3 crore a year earlier and Rs 430.4 crore in the previous quarter.
The bump came despite a 7 per cent dip in TV news inventory demand, hinting that the network’s improved pricing yields and robust market position helped it stay ahead of the curve. For an industry still feeling the aftershocks of cautious advertiser sentiment, Network18’s showing signals a quiet revival, one that could pick up further pace through Q3 and Q4.
But the quarter wasn’t just about numbers, it was also about narrative. Cementing its leadership in regional news, Network18 acquired the remaining 50 per cent stake in IBN Lokmat News pvt. ltd. (IBNL) for Rs 25 crore, making News18 Lokmat a wholly owned subsidiary. The Marathi news powerhouse has seen strong revenue growth over the past three years and continues to reign supreme in the Marathi segment.
For viewers, the move means a smoother experience across TV and digital; for the network, it’s another piece in the puzzle of regional dominance. “This acquisition strengthens our market-leading portfolio of national and regional news channels,” said Network18 chairman Adil Zainulbhai. “Our mission is to be the one-stop news destination for audiences across India.”
Beyond news, the company is expanding into new frontiers. Moneycontrol, its flagship digital platform, has been building serious fintech muscle. Lending has emerged as a key growth engine, and its partnership with HDFC Bank, announced at the Global Fintech Festival 2025, adds further heft positioning Moneycontrol as India’s largest and most trusted financial destination.
Meanwhile, Creator18, the network’s newest vertical, is crafting a future beyond headlines, one built on hashtags and human stories. The platform has already worked with over 1,000 creators, managing many exclusively, and is building what could become one of India’s largest creator ecosystems. From influencer campaigns to social-first storytelling, Creator18 is expanding Network18’s reach into lifestyle, culture, and commerce areas that increasingly shape public conversation.
Network18’s 20-channel portfolio, which includes 14 regional channels, makes it the largest TV news network in India by both reach and viewership. And even as overall revenue growth for the first half of FY26 stayed broadly flat, the company’s tight cost control kept operating expenses steady, a sign of resilience in an uneven market.
In an industry that thrives on breaking news, Network18 seems to have created some of its own from acquisition-led regional growth to digital diversification and creator-led storytelling. The message is clear: while others are still buffering, Network18 is already streaming into the future.
