Network18 Q2 Financial and Operational Update

Network18 Media & Investments Ltd. reported a resilient performance for the September quarter (Q2), demonstrating strength in its News business despite prevailing advertising headwinds. The News business operating revenue increased 7% year-on-year (YoY), reaching ₹477 crore, primarily fueled by robust growth in regional markets and significant traction across digital platforms. Operating EBITDA saw a YoY increase exceeding 5%, achieving ₹7.4 crore, with operating margins maintained at 1.5%. Operationally, Network18 solidified its position as India’s largest TV news network, with viewership share expanding by 220 basis points YoY, largely driven by regional growth. The network maintained clear market leadership across key segments: Business News: CNBC-TV18 holds a dominant 67.8% share. Hindi News: News18 India leads with a 13.1% share. English News: CNN-News18 retains the top spot with a 36.7% share. Further strengthening its portfolio, the company announced the planned acquisition of the remaining 50% stake in News18 Lokmat, which will transition it into a wholly owned subsidiary. Chairman Adil Zainulbhai emphasized that this move "further strengthens our market-leading portfolio of national and regional news channels." The network’s digital ecosystem continues to perform exceptionally, evidenced by its YouTube channels accumulating over 13 billion views during the quarter—more than three times the volume of the nearest competitor. Strategic digital initiatives, including Moneycontrol Fintech, Creator18, and Firstpost, are enhancing this digital footprint and multi-lingual platform expansion. Management anticipates Network18 is well-positioned to capitalize on recent government measures aimed at boosting demand.