Network18 Media & Investments has fixed October 1, 2026, as the hearing date for the final disposal of its company scheme petition regarding the amalgamation of News18 Marathi Private Limited. The hearing will be held before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Mumbai Bench, at 10:30 am or soon thereafter.

The company filed the petition on July 17, 2026, seeking approval for the merger of News18 Marathi Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary, with Network18 Media & Investments Limited and its respective shareholders and creditors. The NCLT admitted the petition via an order dated July 23, 2026.

Regulatory Process

The scheme falls under Sections 230 to 232 and other applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013. Network18 published advertisements in Business Standard (all India editions in English) and Navshakti (Maharashtra edition in Marathi) on August 17, 2026, to notify stakeholders of the hearing.

Any person wishing to support or oppose the petition must submit written notice to the petitioner companies' advocates, Mr. Peshwan Jehangir of Khaitan & Co., at least two days before the hearing date. Those opposing the scheme must also furnish grounds for opposition or a copy of their affidavit.

What the Numbers Show

The amalgamation involves News18 Marathi Private Limited, incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956, with Corporate Identity Number U65923MH2007PTC281111. As a wholly owned subsidiary, its consolidation into the parent entity is a structural simplification rather than an acquisition of external assets, aiming to streamline corporate governance and operational reporting for the regional news channel.

Network18 Media & Investments reported a consolidated net loss of ₹38.36 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 (Q1FY27), reversing the net profit of ₹148.85 crore recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year. The company's revenue from operations for the quarter stood at ₹516.26 crore, growing 10.3% year-on-year, while total income was ₹520.39 crore. On a standalone basis, the company reported a net loss of ₹77.92 crore for the quarter, with revenue from operations at ₹475.28 crore.

Financial Performance

The Board of Directors approved the unaudited financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, at a meeting held on July 15, 2026. The statutory auditors conducted a limited review of the results. The company operates primarily in a single reportable operating segment, Media Operations.

Consolidated Results

Standalone Results

Operational Highlights

Consolidated operating revenue grew 10.3% year-on-year to ₹516 crore, driven by strong advertising performance during state elections. Network18's ad inventory consumption grew 10% year-on-year compared to 3% for the industry. The network maintained its position as the #1 digital news/information network in India with a monthly reach of 350 million+. Network18 also maintained clear dominance as the biggest news network on YouTube with 1.5x+ video views of the nearest competitor.

Key Disclosures

The company noted that Eenadu Television Private Limited ceased to be an associate with effect from July 7, 2025, following the assignment of voting rights. Additionally, the Group recorded an exceptional item of ₹12.13 crore in the quarter ended March 31, 2026, and ₹32.84 crore in the year ended March 31, 2026, regarding additional obligations due to the implementation of new Labour Codes. The figures for the previous periods have been regrouped where necessary for comparability.