Network18 Media & Investments Limited has reported a steady 7.2 percent year-on-year rise in operating revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, reflecting resilience amid a sluggish advertising market. The company’s operating revenue stood at Rs.477.2 crore in Q2 FY26, compared to Rs.445.3 crore in the same period last year and Rs.430.4 crore in Q1 FY26. The growth, despite a 7 percent decline in TV news industry inventory demand, was driven by stronger pricing yields and Network18’s robust operating performance across key markets.

According to a press release issued by Network18, the results highlight a positive trend for the overall news media industry, with expectations of continued growth through the next two quarters. The company credited non-news verticals such as Moneycontrol Fintech and Creator18 for contributing significantly to the revenue momentum, helping offset the pressure from the broader advertising slowdown.

In a move reaffirming its regional dominance, Network18 has acquired the remaining 50 percent stake in IBN Lokmat News Pvt. Ltd., which operates News18 Lokmat, for Rs.25 crore. Following the acquisition, News18 Lokmat becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of the company. The Marathi news channel has maintained a strong growth trajectory over the past three years and continues to lead in its segment. Network18 said the acquisition will enable a more integrated experience for Marathi viewers across its television and digital platforms.

Commenting on the development, Adil Zainulbhai, Chairman of Network18, said, “Acquisition of balance stake in News18 Lokmat further strengthens our market-leading portfolio of national and regional news channels. Our mission is to be the one-stop news destination for audiences around the country, and this is another step in that direction. Our multi-lingual bouquet of TV and digital platforms continues to strengthen across markets, putting us in a strong position to benefit from the upside potential of government initiatives to boost consumer demand.”

The company also continued to diversify its digital ecosystem, with Moneycontrol’s fintech offerings gaining traction and lending emerging as a key growth driver. At the Global Fintech Festival 2025, Moneycontrol announced a strategic partnership with HDFC Bank, reinforcing its position as one of India’s most trusted financial platforms.

Meanwhile, Creator18, Network18’s newly launched vertical, is rapidly building one of India’s largest creator-driven ecosystems. The platform is crafting social-first campaigns, influencer-led marketing strategies, and content collaborations, managing over 1,000 creators across social media platforms. This initiative expands Network18’s advertising reach and opens opportunities in adjacent categories such as culture, commerce, and fashion.

With 20 television channels, including 14 regional ones, Network18 continues to hold its position as India’s largest TV news network in terms of reach and viewership. Despite muted revenue growth in the first half of the fiscal, the company maintained flat operating expenses, highlighting its focus on operational efficiency.

Network18 Media & Investments Limited remains one of India’s leading media and entertainment conglomerates, operating across television, digital, and allied businesses through marquee brands such as CNBC-TV18, News18 India, CNN-News18, and Moneycontrol, continuing to inform and engage millions of audiences nationwide.