Network18 Media & Investments Limited has announced that its Board of Directors approved a scheme of amalgamation with News18 Marathi Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. The decision was made during a board meeting held on March 25, 2026, with the merger structured under Sections 230 to 232 and other applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.

Merger Details and Timeline

The amalgamation scheme involves News18 Marathi Private Limited, formerly known as IBN Lokmat News Private Limited, which operates the company's Marathi news channel. The appointed date for the scheme is set for the opening business hours of April 1, 2026. The primary objective of this merger is to consolidate operations of the Marathi news channel by integrating News18 Marathi's operations directly into the parent company.

Financial Overview

The financial positions of both entities as of March 31, 2025, highlight the scale difference between the parent company and its subsidiary:

Transaction Structure

As this involves the merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary with its parent company, the transaction is classified as a related party transaction conducted at arm's length. No consideration will be paid either in cash or through the issuance of shares, ensuring that there will be no change in the shareholding pattern of Network18 Media & Investments Limited.

Business Operations Context

Network18 Media & Investments operates a diverse portfolio of media assets, including general news channels in Hindi, English, and other regional languages, as well as business news channels in Hindi, English, and Gujarati. The company also maintains a portfolio of digital news websites and magazines. News18 Marathi specifically focuses on Marathi language news broadcasting, serving the regional market.

Regulatory Approvals

The implementation of the amalgamation scheme remains subject to obtaining necessary statutory and regulatory approvals. The board meeting, which addressed this significant corporate restructuring decision, concluded at 5:30 pm on March 25, 2026.

Network18 Media & Investments Limited announced the appointment of veteran corporate professional Mr. Raj Kumar Jain as an Independent Director for a five-year term. The Board of Directors approved his appointment on March 25, 2026, following recommendations from the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

Appointment Details

The board meeting, which commenced at 2:45 p.m. and concluded at 5:30 p.m. on March 25, 2026, formalized Mr. Jain's appointment as an Additional Director designated as Independent Director. His tenure will span five consecutive years from March 25, 2026 to March 24, 2031, subject to approval from the company's shareholders.

Professional Background

Mr. Jain brings extensive corporate leadership experience spanning multiple industries and geographies. He holds an Engineering degree from Delhi College of Engineering and an MBA from Kellogg School of Business. His career includes senior executive positions at several prominent organizations.

Most recently, before starting his entrepreneurial journey in 2020, Raj served as Chief Executive Officer of The Times of India Group, India's largest media company across print, television, out-of-home, and digital business segments.

Key Career Highlights

Mr. Jain's professional journey includes significant leadership roles across diverse sectors:

Current Business Ventures

Since 2020, Mr. Jain has been actively involved in entrepreneurial ventures. He founded Bounce Inc., a boutique management and operations consulting firm that assists clients with India market entry, operating efficiency improvement, and digital transformation initiatives. Additionally, he serves as Managing Director of Clicktech Retail Private Limited, which operates as a premium seller of electronics and merchandise on e-commerce platforms within India.

Board Positions and Associations

Throughout his career, Mr. Jain has held various board positions and advisory roles. He served as Ex-Chairperson of the Board of American Chamber of Commerce & Industry (AMCHAM) and was on the advisory board of HOPE Foundation. He also served on the Board of ASCI (The Advertising Standards Council of India). Currently, he is associated with Sabhyata Foundation, which focuses on preservation of historical monuments and cultural heritage of India.

Regulatory Compliance

The appointment complies with SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. Mr. Jain is not related to any existing director of the company and is not debarred from holding the office of Director by any SEBI order or other authority. The company has filed the necessary disclosures with both NSE and BSE as per regulatory requirements.