ITV

Tag: News18 Lokmat

  • Network18 turns up the volume on growth with a golden quarter

    Network18 turns up the volume on growth with a golden quarter

    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.

  • Network18 seizes full control of Marathi news channel in Rs 25 crore deal

    Network18 seizes full control of Marathi news channel in Rs 25 crore deal

    MUMBAI: Network18 Media & Investments has moved swiftly to acquire complete control of IBN Lokmat News Pvt Ltd, snapping up 86.25 million equity shares and preference holdings from its long-time partner Lokmat Media Pvt Ltd for Rs 25 crores. Come late October, IBNL will be Network18’s wholly owned subsidiary.

    The transaction marks a decisive shift in the broadcaster’s strategy towards the Marathi news market, where News18 Lokmat reigns as the segment leader. IBNL, which Network18 and the Lokmat Group established as a joint venture in 2007, has been quietly expanding. Its revenues jumped from Rs 22.5 crore in FY2022-23 to Rs 31.1 crore the following year, then surged again to Rs 36.5 crore by FY2024-25—a clear signal that the channel is hitting its stride.

    The deal is a related party transaction structured at arm’s length, with independent valuations from Ernst & Young Merchant Banking Services signing off. Network18’s promoters and group companies have no stake in the arrangement. Regulators have given the green light; no government approval is required. The acquisition should close before month’s end, cementing Network18’s dominance in regional news.

  • Network18 flexes muscle in brutal news market as rivals gasp

    Network18 flexes muscle in brutal news market as rivals gasp

    MUMBAI: Network18 Media & Investments is allegedly India’s undisputed news titan, but even emperors struggle when their kingdom is contracting. The media giant posted a crisp 7.2 per cent year-on-year rise in operating revenue to Rs 477 crore in the second quarter, yet the underlying story is far more complicated: the firm is buying market share by keeping costs flat rather than harvesting profits from its dominance.

    The numbers are seductive on the surface. Network18 commands 13.5 per cent all-India viewership share in news, reaches over 250 million people monthly—roughly 30 per cent more than its nearest rival—and operates 20 channels spanning 12 languages. Its YouTube network racked up 13 billion video views this quarter, three times its closest competitor. CNBC TV18 lords over business news with 67.8 per cent share. News18 India owns Hindi at 13.1 per cent. CNN News18 dominates English with 36.7 per cent.

    Yet look closer and the picture is not as rosy. Revenue growth of 7.2 per cent matched operating expense growth of 7.2 per cent. Not one rupee of margin expansion. For the half year, revenue limped ahead just 1.1 per cent whilst operating costs stayed flat.

    The digital realm offers crumbs of comfort. Network18 ranks second for digital news reach with 270 million monthly users. Moneycontrol, its financial news crown jewel, boasts 1.8 times the page views and three times the time spent of its nearest rival. The premium subscription service Moneycontrol Pro hit one million paid subscribers. The newly minted Moneycontrol Super Pro is gaining traction. YouTube accounts at News18.com are expanding multilingual hyperlocal coverage with AI-powered podcasts and rapid-read summaries. Firstpost’s YouTube channel is approaching nine million subscribers.

    Diversification beyond advertising is no longer optional—it’s survival. Moneycontrol’s fintech arm announced a partnership with HDFC Bank to offer personal loans through its platform. Creator18 has engaged over 1,000 social media influencers to pivot into culture, commerce and fashion. These feel like the right moves. 

    The real profit story could be better. Standalone total income reached Rs 478.8 crore this quarter, yet total expenses clocked Rs 548.9 crore, leaving a pre-tax loss of Rs 70.1 crore before exceptional items. The Eenadu Television windfall—a Rs 587 crore exceptional gain from fair-valuing a 24.5 per cent stake after losing voting control—masked the red ink. 

    Consolidated figures tell a sharper story. Pre-tax profit of Rs 41.2 crore this quarter looks respectable until you remember it came on total income of Rs 500.8 crore. Last year’s comparatives of Rs 2,059.4 crore are a mirage: they included operations since deconsolidated. The company swung from a Rs 152.3 crore loss to a Rs 41.2 crore profit, but the goalposts moved entirely.

    Network18’s regional ambitions reveal its strategic thinking. The board approved acquisition of the remaining 50 per cent stake in IBN Lokmat News Pvt. Ltd. for Rs25 crore, transforming News18 Lokmat into a wholly owned subsidiary. Marathi news generates revenue momentum, and full ownership could unlock margin expansion. Could. That word carries weight.

    Adil Zainulbhai, chairman, declared the move “another step in that direction” of becoming “the one-stop news destination” whilst positioning the firm to benefit from government initiatives to boost consumer demand. The language is hopeful. The arithmetic is unforgiving.

    Network18 conquered the mountain and discovered nothing worth eating at the top. Market dominance means nothing when advertising inventory shrinks seven per cent industry-wide. Viewership share rises whilst revenue flatlines—the very definition of a saturated market where volume gains evaporate into pricing pressure. 

    Fintech partnerships, influencer ecosystems, and subscription tiers are the moves of a legacy business fighting for relevance, not a titan in its ascendancy. The firm hasn’t yet proven these new ventures can move the needle at scale. Until they do, Network18 remains a winner in a losing game.

  • News18 Lokmat rings in Ganeshotsav with grand 20 day Bappa Morya Re

    News18 Lokmat rings in Ganeshotsav with grand 20 day Bappa Morya Re

    MUMBAI: Ganpati fever swept across Maharashtra, and News18 Lokmat made sure viewers didn’t miss a beat. With its 20-day special line-up ‘Bappa Morya Re’, the state’s No.1 news channel transformed television screens into a window to Maharashtra’s most cherished festival.

    The channel’s coverage spanned it all from the crafting of eco-friendly idols to the arrival of Bappa in every mohalla, from festive markets buzzing with preparations to kitchens where traditional modaks and delicacies were being perfected. Heartfelt stories of devotees sat alongside explorations of Ganesh Chaturthi’s cultural significance, giving audiences a holistic festive experience.

    Adding extra sparkle was the ‘Bappa Morya Re’ Mandal Competition, which saw pandals across Maharashtra compete with creative themes, devotional flair, and socially relevant messages woven into their decorations. The competition captured the innovative spirit of mandals, blending tradition with contemporary relevance.

    The celebrations weren’t confined to the streets. At News18 Lokmat’s own office, the channel created a festive hub where leaders and stars came together to seek Bappa’s blessings. The chief minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, and ministers including Uday Samant and Girish Mahajan joined the prayers. Adding a touch of glamour, film and TV personalities such as Mahesh Manjrekar, Siddharth Jadhav, Prasad Oak, Adinath Kothare, Sonali Khare, Milind Gunjaji, Lina Bhagwat, and Adesh Bandekar also turned up to celebrate.

    The initiative was supported by a host of partners: Oxyrich (co-presenter), Pitambari Devbhakti, Reliance Industries Ltd, SBI (banking partner), Kirti Oil (celebration partner), Parasnath Speciality Clinic, Younity Energy, Society Tea, Senco Gold (jewellery partner), Brand Banao.AI, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, and JSW Neo Steel.

    With its extensive statewide coverage, star-studded celebrations, and spirited mandal contests, News18 Lokmat’s ‘Bappa Morya Re’ once again proved why it’s synonymous with Ganeshotsav in Maharashtra blending devotion, festivity, and culture into one vibrant package.

  • Maharashtra’s leaders and changemakers come together for growth agenda

    Maharashtra’s leaders and changemakers come together for growth agenda

    MUMBAI: From politics to pop culture, policy to pop-up enterprises Maharashtra’s growth story got a turbocharged rewrite at News18 Lokmat’s Samruddha Maharashtra 2025 conclave. In a state that rarely slows down, News18 Lokmat’s Samruddha Maharashtra 2025 brought the brakes to the rhetoric and the spotlight to substance. Held in Mumbai, the high-octane conclave brought together an eclectic mix of ministers, entrepreneurs, artists, and policy wonks to discuss what it’ll take to future-proof the state’s prosperity.

    The day kicked off with a sharp, youth-forward panel on the “Future of Maharashtra”, where young leaders like Meghana Bordikar, Varun Sardesai, Rohini Khadse, Shaina NC, and Sangram Kote Patil discussed sustainability, policy innovation, and the missing script of youth engagement. The verdict? Maharashtra’s tomorrow needs fresh ideas, and fresher faces at the helm.

    Aaditya Thackeray turned the political lens inward in a session on the so-called “Maharashtra Pattern of Politics”. Equal parts legacy and local aspiration, his take blended ideology with youth participation underscoring transparency and environmental consciousness as essentials, not options.

    Politics got punchier in a high-decibel discussion featuring Jitendra Awhad, Girish Mahajan, Uday Samant, Imtiyaz Jaleel, Sandeep Deshpande, and Anil Parab. Even as they sparred across party lines, there was one common goal: Maharashtra’s progress must trump political posturing.

    In the economic ring, industry bigwigs like Hemant Rathi, Girish Chitale, Lalit Gandhi, and economist Ajit Ranade headlined “Udhyemi Maharashtra”, championing entrepreneurship and industrial investment as the state’s twin growth engines. The message was clear start-ups and scale-ups are Maharashtra’s real capital.

    Culture took a graceful turn in “Kalapatadi Maharashtra”, with cinema and theatre stalwarts Mahesh Manjrekar, Kedar Shinde, Om Raut, and Bharat Jadhav waxing lyrical about the soft power of storytelling and the soul of Marathi identity.

    Deputy CM Eknath Shinde outlined priorities across infrastructure, rural outreach, and welfare, while chief minister Devendra Fadnavis wrapped up the conclave with a blueprint for a globally competitive and resilient Maharashtra, fuelled by economic reforms and mega infrastructure plans.

    Powered by MIT Design Technology – Pune and Reliance Industries Ltd, with support from MIDC, Sandip University, Rotomag Solar Pump, Pimpri Chinchwad University, LIC Housing Finance Ltd, and Mahagenco, the conclave was anything but a talking shop.

    With meaningful dialogue, sharp provocations, and a collective vision, Samruddha Maharashtra 2025 wasn’t just another networking event, it was a real-time draft of the state’s next growth chapter. Or as one panellist quipped, “Less gyan, more game plan.”
     

  • News18 Lokmat announces ‘Mood Maharashtracha’ and ‘Maharashtrachi Tai Sahib’

    News18 Lokmat announces ‘Mood Maharashtracha’ and ‘Maharashtrachi Tai Sahib’

    Mumbai:  As Maharashtra prepares for its state elections, News18 Lokmat is stepping up its commitment to provide detailed coverage by launching two significant programs: Mood Maharashtracha and Maharashtrachi Tai Sahib. These initiatives, part of the overarching campaign Maharashtracha Mahasangram, are designed to capture the diverse sentiments and opinions of voters across the state.

    Mood Maharashtracha is dedicated to reporting from constituencies across Maharashtra. It captures ground-level opinions on critical issues such as health, infrastructure, education, and the work done by the current government. Anchored by Vishal Pardeshi, the program aims to bring forth the concerns of the common man, providing a platform for local leaders to articulate their visions for the upcoming elections.  By highlighting voters’ real concerns, Mood Maharashtracha presents an authentic view of the election landscape.

    On the other hand, Maharashtrachi Tai Sahib offers a unique angle by focusing on the viewpoints of women voters, warmly referred to as ‘Tai Sahib’. Hosted by Suvarna Joshi, the program focuses on the voices and political objectives of women from all walks of life highlighting their opinions on current issues, leadership, and development priorities.

    Over the course of 25 days,Mood Maharashtracha and Maharashtrachi Tai Sahib will travel across Maharashtra, providing region-specific in-depth analysis and insights of voter sentiment, bringing viewers a closer look at the aspects influencing the state’s political landscape.

  • News18 Lokmat Agenda Maharashtra 2024 ends on a high note

    News18 Lokmat Agenda Maharashtra 2024 ends on a high note

    Mumbai: News18 Lokmat’s much-anticipated event, Agenda Maharashtra 2024, brought together some of the most influential people in state politics. Ahead of the election season in Maharashtra, the event addressed key issues like women empowerment, agriculture, industrial growth, and the progress of Maharashtra in diverse sectors.

    The event kicked off with a thought-provoking panel discussion on ‘Ladki Bahin Yojana and women empowerment, featuring esteemed panellists Aditi Tatkare, Dr Neelam Gorhe, Praniti Shinde, Rohini Khadse, and Chinmayee Sumeet. The discussion focused on important issues faced by women in Maharashtra today, with panellists highlighting the need of robust initiatives and policies aimed at elevating women and ensuring equality, safety, and prosperity.

    Following the panel discussion, a dynamic session featured prominent state leaders such as Ambadas Danve, Pravin Darekar, Uday Samant, Pasha Patel, and Bacchu Kadu. These leaders shared their insights, showcasing progress in their respective fields, highlighting achievements, and outlining their visions for Maharashtra’s development. The discussions covered various sectors, from education and agriculture to economic growth and infrastructure, providing valuable perspectives on the roadmap for the state’s future.

    The event concluded with an engaging series of one-on-one interactions featuring political figures like Nana Patole, Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Aaditya Thackeray, Supriya Sule, and Shrikant Shinde. Their discussions centered on vital topics such as economic policies, social welfare, governance, and youth engagement, ensuring that the audience had a clearer understanding of the political landscape.

    News18 Lokmat Agenda Maharashtra was a resounding success, offering perspective of various leaders’ vision of Maharashtra.

  • News18 Lokmat brings Ganeshotsav to life with ‘Bappa Morya Re’

    News18 Lokmat brings Ganeshotsav to life with ‘Bappa Morya Re’

    Mumbai: As people across the country come together to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, News18 Lokmat has embraced the festive spirit with its special initiative, ‘Bappa Morya Re’. The 10-day celebration revolves around the cultural significance, vibrant energy, and rich traditions of Ganeshotsav, bringing the joy and grandeur of Maharashtra’s cherished festival to life.

    News18 Lokmat’s special programming dives into the essence of Ganeshotsav, capturing the spirit of the festival with interviews, stories, and live reports from various pandals across the state. With this initiative, the channel offers its viewers coverage from the majestic installations of Ganesh idols to the various rituals being performed, bringing the celebration to life like never before.

    In addition to the daily programming, the channel has lined up extensive live coverage of Ganesh Visarjan, bringing devotional and emotional moments as thousands of devotees bid farewell to their beloved Bappa.  To further enhance the festive atmosphere, renowned celebrities are also visiting News18 Lokmat’s for festive stories as well seek the blessings of Bappa.

    News18 Lokmat ‘Bappa Morya Re’ continues to be the ultimate Ganeshotsav celebration on television. Tune in at 5.21 PM every day for the special coverage.Bappa Morya is co-presented by Oxyrich  &  Finolex Pipes & Fittings , Co-powered by Reliance Industries ltd, Banking Partner SVC Co-Operative Bank Ltd, Education Partner Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Special Partners Society Tea & Denver

  • News18 Lokmat concludes Mangalagaur event with great success

    News18 Lokmat concludes Mangalagaur event with great success

    Mumbai: News18 Lokmat organised a vibrant Mangalagaur competition that witnessed enthusiastic participation of women throughout Mumbai. The event was a grand celebration of Maharashtra’s traditional culture, offering women a platform to showcase their devotion and talent.

    A distinguished panel including popular actress Mansi Naik, and renowned choreographers Subhash Nakase and Sonia Parchure, served as judges for the competition. Their expertise added great value to the event, ensuring that the performances were evaluated with appreciation and fairness.

    The News18 Mangalagaur competition will be broadcast in a four-episode series on News18 Lokmat, providing viewers with insights into the different facets of the competition. The event was co-presented by Orange Cookware and Appliances, and co-powered by 99Villa, a brand by Zaminwale along with cosmetic partner Meena Elements.

  • News18 Lokmat’s ‘Shikshan Parishad’ delves into factors shaping Maharashtra’s education sector

    News18 Lokmat’s ‘Shikshan Parishad’ delves into factors shaping Maharashtra’s education sector

    Mumbai: News18 Lokmat’s ‘Shikshan Parishad’, a prestigious education conclave recently took place in Pune. The event brought together leading educators, policymakers, and industry experts to engage in meaningful discussions on pressing issues and the future of education in the region.

    The key highlight of the event was a thought-provoking session with Maharashtra’s minister of higher and technical education, Chandrakant Patil. He shared valuable insights into the government’s policies and visions aimed at advancing the education sector.

    The conclave featured three insightful panel discussions, each tackling critical aspects of India’s education landscape.

    The panel discussion themed ‘Building Strong Foundations for a Bright Future’ highlighted the importance of a strong educational foundation in shaping a prosperous future for students.

    Another panel titled ‘Holistic Education, Overall Development of Child’ discussed the need for holistic education that focuses on the comprehensive development of the children beyond academics.

    Additionally, the session around ‘Importance of Skill Based Education’ focused on the crucial role of skill-based learning in preparing students for real-world challenges and employment opportunities.

    Tune into News18 Lokmat on 7 July 2024 3:21 pm onwards to catch the key moments of ‘Shikshan Parishad’.