Network18 Media Q3 profit tanks 97% to Rs 8.8 cr; revenue up 11.6%

New Delhi: Network18 Media & Investments Ltd on Tuesday reported a 97 per cent decline in its consolidated net profit to Rs 8.82 crore for the third quarter that ended on December 31, 2022, due to a jump in operating cost and a decline in advertisement revenue.

The company had posted a net profit of Rs 306.94 crore during the October-December period a year ago, Network18 Media & Investments Ltd said in a regulatory filing.

However, its consolidated revenue from operations was up 11.64 per cent to Rs 1,850.49 crore as against Rs 1,657.43 crore in the corresponding quarter of the preceding fiscal.

The company faced "continued softness in advertising impacted profitability despite strong operating metrics across the board," said Network18 Media in its earning statement.

Total expenses were at Rs 1,939.01 crore, up 44.95 per cent in the December quarter of FY23 against Rs 1,337.63 crore a year ago.

The company reported a loss of Rs 4.67 crore before tax and a gain of Rs 6.45 crore from deferred tax.

"The continued softness in the macro-economic environment dampened the advertising demand and impacted the revenue, in contrast to the strong festive demand witnessed last year, thereby impacting the growth," it said.

Moreover, along with a weak advertising environment, TV impressions were also down 5 per cent YoY, it added.

"Total ad inventory on TV declined by 10 per cent on a YoY basis with the News category seeing a drop of 27 per cent. The digital segment also faced headwinds as brands pulled back on performance marketing spending. As a result, ad revenue of all our segments declined on a YoY basis," it said.

According to the company, drop in advertising revenue had a direct impact on margins as it continued with investments in content, with a view to consolidate its operating metrics.

"The profitability of the business also suffered due to investments in new initiatives, digital entertainment and sports, which had a negative contribution of Rs 140 crore to EBITDA," it said Commenting on the results Network18 Chairman Adil Zainulbhai, said: “We are really pleased with the operating performance of our businesses, however, the tough macro environment made it challenging from the perspective of financial results."

However, he also added: "We have a firm belief in the long-term potential of India’s M&E sector and we are making investments today to be in a position to derive disproportionate benefits from this growth, especially in digital." Network18 is one of the largest media conglomerates in the country. It is promoted by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary.

It also controls TV18, its listed subsidiary, which operates the broadest network of 60 channels in India, spanning news, entertainment and sports genres.

Shares of Network18 Media & Investments Ltd declined by 3.28 per cent to close at Rs 63.30 on BSE.