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Tag: TV Today Network

  • Republic TV loses veteran operations chief after eight-year stint

    Republic TV loses veteran operations chief after eight-year stint

    NEW DELHI: Hersh Bhandari, chief operating officer of Republic Media Network, has called time on his eight-year tenure at the news broadcaster, announcing his departure in a LinkedIn post that urged colleagues to “ignore all rumours” about his next move.

    The media veteran, who has spent three decades climbing the ranks of India’s television industry, said he was taking a “small break to reinvent myself and gear up for the next adventure.”

    His departure marks the end of a significant chapter for Republic TV, where Bhandari served as both chief operating officer for the broader network and chief executive officer of Republic World since December 2018.
    In his farewell message, Bhandari thanked Arnab Goswami and the editorial team for their “intensity and support”, while crediting his time at Republic with teaching him strategic thinking and leadership skills. He described the experience as helping him learn “great entrepreneur lessons” and draw “inspiration from colleagues every single day.”

    Bhandari’s career spans some of India’s most prominent media houses, including a six-year stint at Times Network, where he served as vice-president of sales and national revenue head for Times Now. Before joining Republic, he spent nearly two years as national revenue head at TV Today Network.

    His media journey began in the 1990s with a marketing role at Star TV Network, after cutting his teeth in the clothing industry with a seven-year tenure at Pepe Jeans London. At Times Network, he also held senior positions at Zoom, serving as vice-president and national head for four years.

    The executive, who describes himself as an “avid enthusiast of sports and music,” has built a reputation for driving growth across people and media operations. His LinkedIn profile carries the motto: “No matter how far down we may be, we are never too far down to come back.”

    Republic Media Network has not yet announced a replacement for Bhandari’s role. The news comes as India’s television news sector continues to face intense competition and evolving viewer preferences in the digital age.

  • TV Today buys Romesh Films for Rs 200 crore to acquire Noida property

    TV Today buys Romesh Films for Rs 200 crore to acquire Noida property

    MUMBAI: In a deal that’s more location than storyline, TV Today Network has greenlit a blockbuster acquisition not of a production house with a hit filmography, but of a shell company sitting on prime land. At its board meeting on 25 July, the India Today Group-owned broadcaster approved the Rs 200 crore acquisition of Romesh Films Private Limited, a company with zero revenue, a modest net worth of Rs 5.93 crore, and one marquee asset: an immovable property in Noida. The company posted a profit after tax of Rs 2.82 crore in FY25 despite no turnover, a neat little plot twist that reflects its sole function as a property holder.

    Rather than purchase the property outright, TV Today has opted to buy 100 per cent equity 4,65,010 shares of face value Rs 100 each of Romesh Films from existing shareholders. The deal excludes any net assets other than the land and building and is subject to due diligence, stamp duty, registration charges, and other transfer-related costs.

    Once completed, Romesh Films will become a wholly owned subsidiary of TV Today Network. The company says the acquisition will aid operational convenience and support long-term expansion, given its proximity to the group’s corporate office in Noida.

    TV Today Network reported revenue from operations of Rs 197.19 crore for the quarter ended June 2025, navigating a quarter of industry-wide recalibration following last year’s election-related ad spike. Profit from continuing operations stood at Rs 7.39 crore, while the company posted a net profit of Rs 7.35 crore for the period, reflecting a stable performance in a non-election cycle.

    The radio business now treated as a discontinued operation dragged further, reporting a loss before tax of Rs 0.05 crore, contributing to a cumulative drag of Rs 7.89 crore for FY25.

    But the company isn’t tuning out yet. In February, it signed an MoU to sell its three radio stations in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata (104.8 FM) for Rs 20 crore. The transaction, pending MIB approvals, will be routed through its wholly owned subsidiary, Vibgyor Broadcasting.

    The net result? A strategic shift from frequencies to fixed assets, with an eye on solid ground even if it comes with no script.

     

  • TV Today’s FY 25 financials: The quarter’s triumph and the year’s windfall!

    TV Today’s FY 25 financials: The quarter’s triumph and the year’s windfall!

    MUMBAI:  The bean counters at TV Today Network have been busy, and their meticulous work has unearthed some rather telling figures for both the quarter and the full financial year ending March 31, 2025. It seems the broadcast bigwigs are truly raking it in, with revenues and profits looking healthier than a freshly minted pundit on prime time.

    For the quarter ended March 31, 2025, the network saw its revenue from operations climb to Rs 249.17 crores, up from Rs 247.37 crores in the same quarter last year. Total income for the quarter stood at Rs 261.26 crores, a neat bump from Rs 256.47 crores in the prior year’s comparable period. Despite a slight uptick in total expenses to Rs 253.28 crores from Rs 233.31 crores, the company still managed a respectable profit before tax from continuing operations of Rs 7.98 crores, though it was a dip from Rs 23.16 crores reported in the same quarter of the previous year. The net profit for the quarter, however, took a bit of a tumble, landing at Rs 6.23 crores compared to Rs 11.20 crores last year. Basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the quarter were Rs 1.04, down from Rs 2.84 previously.

    Looking at the full financial year ended March 31, 2025, TV Today has certainly been on a roll. Revenue from operations soared to Rs 993.02 crores, a significant jump from Rs 935.91 crores in the previous financial year. The total income followed suit, hitting Rs 1,038.73 crores compared to Rs 973.56 crores in the year prior. While total expenses nudged up to Rs 927.61 crores from Rs 876.97 crores, the company still reported a strapping profit before tax from continuing operations of Rs 111.12 crores, a noticeable improvement from Rs 96.59 crores. The net profit for the year was Rs 74.83 crores, quite the spectacle when pitted against Rs 56.39 crores in the last financial year. This translates to basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of Rs 13.86, a rise from Rs 11.90.

    It’s worth noting the discontinued radio broadcasting operations, which saw a pre-tax loss of Rs 0.03 crores for the quarter and a yearly loss of Rs 10.54 crores, though this is an improvement from the Rs 19.53 crores loss last year. The after-tax loss from these operations was Rs 0.02 crores for the quarter and Rs 7.89 crores for the year, a marked improvement from the previous year’s loss of Rs 14.61 crores. This means the radio business, which is being sold for Rs 20 crores, is no longer broadcasting negative vibes on the balance sheet.

    The chaps at the company are certainly dialling up the good vibes, as their board of directors — led by the ever-present chairman and whole time director Aroon Purie — has just given the nod to a rather fetching final dividend for the financial year ended March 31, 2025. Shareholders are set to pocket a handsome Rs 3 per equity share, a 60 per cent return on the Rs 5 face value. Talk about a cracking payout!

  • Media stocks hold the mic as markets crash in Trump tariff meltdown

    Media stocks hold the mic as markets crash in Trump tariff meltdown

    MUMBAI: Even as the Bombay stock exchange tanked five plus per cent  in the morning on Trump tariff meltdown Monday, Indian media and entertainment stocks shed just one to three per cent of their values at the time of trading at 3:30 pm. Sun TV was trading at Rs 638  a gain 0.83 per cent over  its previous weekend closing of Rs 632.75. TV Today network was up 1.65 per cent toto trade at Rs 160.40. On the flip side, a few media players were caught in the downward spiral. Entertainment Network India – the operator of Radio Mirchi – cut 2.06 per cent to stand at Rs 132.80. GTPL Hathway declined 3.69 per cent to Rs 105.75 even as Hathway dropped 3.16 per cent to Rs 12.58. Dish TV fell by 2.61 per cent to Rs 5.60.

    The advertising sector, however, bore the brunt of the market tremors. Advertising agency RK Swamy lopped off 10 per cent to trade at Rs 199.15 from its previous days closing of 223.50. Bright Outdoor clipped 4.36 per cent at Rs 449.50 as against Signpost which went negative to the tune of 7.36 per cent to trade at Rs 235.40. Innokaiz India dropped to Rs 13.56 with a 4.98 per cent fall. Maxposure saw a 5.76 per cent decline settling at Rs 57.30. Meanwhile, DAPS Advertising India saw a dip of 2.86 per cent to Rs 17.00. (At around 4 pm, may vary according to the market)

    Despite the broader bloodbath on Dalal Street, the relatively cushioned fall of media and entertainment stocks could indicate investor confidence in the sector’s long-term fundamentals, or perhaps just temporary insulation from global trade frictions. Either way, for now, the M&E sector is holding its script, even as the markets slip into drama mode.  

  • TV Today’s digital strategy chief exits after one-year stint

    TV Today’s digital strategy chief exits after one-year stint

    MUMBAI:  India Today group/ TV Today network announced today that  Rudra Prasad Kasturi has stepped down from his role as chief strategy officer for digital business, precisely one year after joining the media conglomerate.

    In a brief statement, the company confirmed it had accepted  Kasturi’s resignation “to pursue other opportunities,” with his departure effective from close of business on 28 February.

    Kasturi, a seasoned media executive with previous stints at The Times of India group and Times Internet, where he held various leadership positions, appears to be maintaining his tradition of brief but impactful tenures at India’s leading media houses.

    Industry observers note that Kasturi’s CV now sports an impressively symmetrical one-year stint at India Today, neatly matching his seven-month escapade as  chief growth officer at Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. Perhaps in the fast-paced world of digital media strategy, longevity is measured in months rather than years.

    The company has not yet announced a successor.

  • TV Today Network to sell radio operations whilst engaging Creative Channel as sales agent

    TV Today Network to sell radio operations whilst engaging Creative Channel as sales agent

    MUMBAI:  TV Today Network Limited, part of the India Today Group, has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Creative Channel Advertising and Marketing for the proposed sale of its FM radio broadcasting operations whilst simultaneously appointing the firm as its advertising sales agent. TV Today made this declaration through a regulatory filing with the Bombay stock exchange a short while ago. 

    The Rs 20 crore deal involves three FM radio stations broadcasting on the 104.8 frequency in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. The transaction structure includes an initial payment of Rs. 10 crore upon MoU execution, with the remaining amount due at closing, subject to regulatory approvals from the ministry of information & broadcasting.

    During the transition period, Creative Channel will serve as TV Today’s advertising sales agent, leveraging its expertise to sell airtime to governmental bodies and corporate clients. The arrangement is intended to bolster advertising revenue for the radio business, which reported losses despite generating Rs 16.18 crore turnover in FY 2023-24 — representing merely 1.7 per cent  of TV Today Network’s total revenue.

    The board of directors had initially resolved on 9 January to shutter the radio division entirely before receiving interest from potential buyers. The subsequent approval for sale came during their 11  February meeting.
    TV Today may execute the transaction either directly or through its wholly owned subsidiary, Vibgyor Broadcasting. The latter approach would constitute a related party transaction, though conducted on an arm’s length basis.

    Creative Channel, established in 1991 with Rs 5.23 crore paid-up capital, specialises in television broadcasting, advertising and programming. The company has no connection to TV Today’s promoter group.

    The transaction is expected to conclude by 31 January 2026, marking TV Today’s strategic exit from the challenging FM radio sector amidst evolving industry dynamics.

  • Piyush Gupta resigns as group CTO of TV Today network

    Piyush Gupta resigns as group CTO of TV Today network

    MUMBAI:  TV Today network has announced the resignation of Piyush Gupta from his position as group chief technology officer. Gupta submitted his resignation via letter, indicating his intent to pursue new opportunities elsewhere. The company has accepted his resignation, and he will officially relinquish his duties at the close of business on 15 April 2025. TV Today informed the Bombay stock exchange about his resignation through a regulatory filing.

    Piyush Gupta has had a distinguished career in the broadcasting industry, having served as Group CTO at TV Today since January 2015. Prior to that, he spent 15 years at Network18 Media & Investments Limited, where he played a pivotal role in launching several prominent channels, including CNBC TV18, CNN IBN, and others. His extensive experience includes overseeing technology and operational processes that significantly contributed to the growth of the network.

    Gupta began his career at Television18  India and also served as a senior engineer at NDTV, bringing a wealth of technical knowledge and leadership experience to his roles. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering from Delhi University.

    As TV Today Network prepares for this transition, Gupta’s contributions to the organization and the broadcasting sector will certainly be remembered. For further information, please contact TV Today Network’s corporate communications team.
     

  • TV Today Network to turn off its Ishq 104.8 FM radio operations

    TV Today Network to turn off its Ishq 104.8 FM radio operations

    MUMBAI: The TV Today Network has  lost all the love it once had for the  FM radio business under the brand of IshqFM  (romantic love) 104.8  FM. 

    The company, on 9 January 2025, informed the Bombay stock exchange, that its board of has approved the closure of its IshqFM radio broadcasting operation, which includes three stations in Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata. The decision, announced at a board meeting on January 9, is subject to regulatory approvals and compliance requirements, with the shutdown expected to occur within one to six months.

    The FM radio business contributed a turnover of Rs 16.18 crore in FY 2023-24, representing 1.7 per cent of the company’s total turnover for the year. However, it reported a net loss of Rs 19.53 crore during the same period.

    In a statement, the board cited the challenging state of the FM radio industry and its evolving dynamics as key reasons behind the decision. “The board of directors considered it in the better interest of the company to close this business rather than continue operations,” the statement said.

    The move aligns with TV Today Network’s strategic focus on its core media and broadcasting ventures, as the FM radio segment has struggled to remain profitable in a competitive and shifting landscape.

  • TV Today Network’s Rakhee Basu Recognized Among Global 200 Women Leaders

    TV Today Network’s Rakhee Basu Recognized Among Global 200 Women Leaders

    Mumbai: Rakhee Basu, Head of Digital Influencer Marketing at TV Today Network, has been awarded the White Page International Dubai 2024 Global 200 Women Power Leaders award. This recognition honors women who have made significant contributions in their fields and exhibited exceptional leadership qualities.

    Basu has a strong background in digital marketing and influencer strategies, playing a key role in shaping the media landscape. Her innovative methods have enhanced brand visibility for TV Today Network and set new industry benchmarks.

    The award ceremony in Dubai highlighted the achievements of influential women across various sectors, emphasizing their impact on global markets. Basu’s recognition underscores her commitment to empowering others and fostering change within the digital space.
     

  • TV Today Network: Growth in TV drives profitability

    TV Today Network: Growth in TV drives profitability

    Mumbai: TV Today Network’s (TVTN) Q3 revenue rose 13.6 per cent YoY and 22.8 per cent QoQ to Rs 2,627mn versus our estimates of Rs 2,412mn. Revenue for TV and digital segments was Rs 2,040mn and Rs 540mn, respectively. EBITDA margin was 15.7 per cent, up 7bps YoY and 1,012bps QoQ. PAT grew 5.4 per cent YoY to Rs 291mn, due to high revenue growth and an increase in EBITDA.

    TVTN reported strong TV revenue growth of 12.1 per cent YoY on a low base (in Q3FY23, TV revenue declined 8 per cent YoY), led by increased revenue from events, growth in pricing and brand solutions revenue. We believe the momentum in TV revenue growth may improve in the next two quarters because of the positive impact of the general elections. We estimate revenue from the TV segment to post a healthy growth of 15 per cent YoY in H2FY24E and 7 per cent in FY25E. Profitability has also improved in the TV segment because of better revenue growth, higher realisation, and cost-cutting initiatives.

    Digital segment revenue grew 15 per cent YoY, but growth was subdued versus the historical average of 32 per cent YoY (FY19- 22) due to higher dependence on third-party platforms for revenue, which remains volatile. We believe on a steady-state basis, revenue from the digital segment could see a CAGR of 19 per cent in FY24E-26E. Investments in digital have largely peaked out, hence, lower investments in digital going forward may also improve profitability. Expect EBITDA margin to improve 900bps in FY24E-26E, led by 1) operating efficiencies, 2) better growth in the TV segment and 3) lower losses in digital

    We believe TVTN is a play on elections and may see momentum in the next two quarters, but going ahead as well, TV as a genre could sustain and post growth in line with industry average as it is consumed live. Scale on digital may be a key monitorable but dependence on third-party may lead to growth being volatile, as global giants have posted muted growth in India in terms of digital advertising.

    Valuation: The stock moved up 12.4 per cent in the past six months. We slightly up our revenue estimates 1.2 per cent and 1.4 per cent (on better TV revenue growth) and earnings estimate 10.5 per cent and 9.8 per cent (on better margins going forward) for FY25E and FY26E. We retain Buy and roll over to March 2025E TP. We up our SoTP-TP to Rs 300 from Rs 260 (on roll-over). The core broadcasting business is currently trading at 5.3x one-year forward P/E (ex of healthy cash balance of Rs 4.5 bn). We assign a 10x one-year forward P/E to the core broadcasting business and value cash (Rs 4.5 bn) and the digital business (at 2x one-year forward Mcap-to-sales) separately.

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