Hindustan Media Ventures Limited reported a consolidated net profit of ₹51.17 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 (Q1FY26), marking a 398% year-on-year increase from ₹10.24 crore in Q1FY25. The sharp profitability turnaround was driven by robust performance in its core newspaper publishing segment, which more than offset losses from the discontinued OTTplay streaming service. This result underscores the operational resilience of the print media business amidst broader industry shifts, offering shareholders improved returns despite ongoing wind-down costs in digital ventures.

The Board of Directors approved the unaudited financial results on August 4, 2026, pursuant to Regulation 30 of the SEBI Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements Regulations, 2015. Statutory auditors S.R. Batliboi & Co. LLP issued an unmodified review conclusion on both standalone and consolidated financial statements under Regulation 33 of the SEBI LODR. The results were prepared in accordance with Ind AS 34 "Interim Financial Reporting" and presented in compliance with Ind AS 105 "Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations" following the decision to discontinue OTTplay effective March 31, 2026.

Revenue from operations for the consolidated group stood at ₹197.18 crore, up 19.8% from ₹164.60 crore in Q1FY25. Total income, including other income of ₹46.88 crore, reached ₹244.06 crore compared to ₹191.32 crore in the prior year period. EBITDA for the quarter was ₹75.15 crore from continuing operations, reflecting an expansion in operating leverage. Total expenses rose moderately to ₹174.96 crore from ₹161.30 crore year-on-year, with employee benefits remaining stable at ₹35.04 crore and finance costs increasing slightly to ₹2.27 crore.

Conversely, the discontinued OTTplay business reported a loss after tax of ₹4.46 crore for the quarter, a significant improvement from the ₹15.83 crore loss recorded in Q1FY25. The board had ceased new subscription offers for OTTplay from March 31, 2026, leading to restated financial results for comparative periods. Standalone results mirrored the consolidated trend, with net profit rising to ₹50.87 crore from ₹10.03 crore in the previous year, supported by similar dynamics in the holding company's operations.

Key Financial Metrics

The table below summarises the key financial metrics for the quarter:

What the Numbers Show

The divergence between revenue growth and profit expansion highlights significant margin improvement in the core publishing business. While revenue grew by nearly 20%, EBITDA from continuing operations more than doubled, suggesting fixed cost absorption efficiencies or favorable mix shifts within the newspaper portfolio. The substantial reduction in losses from discontinued operations further insulated the bottom line, allowing the group to report near-record quarterly profits. This structural shift indicates that the company is successfully transitioning away from its unprofitable digital streaming arm while strengthening its cash-generative print operations.

Hindustan Media Ventures Limited will host a conference call for analysts and investors on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 2:30 PM IST to discuss its financial performance for the first quarter of FY27. The event serves as the primary channel for management to address market queries regarding the un-audited standalone and consolidated results approved by the Board of Directors on August 4, 2026. Investors seeking to participate in the discussion must register in advance via the provided Zoom link, as access is restricted to registered attendees.

The Board meeting held on August 4, 2026, focused on reviewing and approving the financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. This procedural step precedes the public disclosure of detailed financial metrics, which will be elaborated upon during the subsequent investor interaction. The company has aligned this schedule with regulatory requirements to ensure timely dissemination of material information to stakeholders.

Event Details

Regulatory Compliance

The announcement is issued pursuant to Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. Nikhil Sethi, Company Secretary, signed the disclosure letter dated July 29, 2026, confirming the schedule for both the BSE Limited and National Stock Exchange of India Limited. The filing references a prior communication dated July 28, 2026, which initially notified exchanges of the upcoming Board meeting.

Participation Guidelines

Investors and analysts are required to register in advance to receive access credentials for the Zoom webinar. The HT Media Group, which includes Hindustan Media Ventures Limited, has coordinated the event with senior management team members available to discuss operational and financial highlights. For further assistance or registration queries, stakeholders may contact the Investor Relations team at IR@hindustantimes.com or reach out to Churchgate Partners, the appointed investor relations advisor.