Zee Media reports 47.7% surge in advertising revenue in Q1 FY27

Editorial leadership, global thought leadership, marquee IPs and technology-led transformation shape Zee Media’s Q1 momentum

by e4m Staff
Published: Aug 14, 2026 7:26 PM | 3 min read

Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL) reported consolidated financial results for Q1 FY27, with operating revenue of ₹1,908.5 million, a 4.7% increase from ₹1,823.6 million in the same quarter last year.
Advertising revenue surged by 47.7% year-on-year to ₹1,797.1 million, while subscription revenue rose by 9.9% to ₹111.4 million.
CEO Raktim Das emphasized the company's strategic shift towards a diversified revenue model, enhancing editorial capabilities, and leveraging technology and AI for growth.
The quarter featured extensive coverage of regional elections and the expansion of global initiatives through WION, alongside a focus on cultural events and digital innovation to engage younger audiences.

Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL) today announced its consolidated financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. The Company reported operating revenue of ₹1,908.5 million, registering 4.7% year-on-year growth over ₹1,823.6 million in Q1 FY26. Operating expenditure stood at ₹1,745.9 million, while Operating Profit (EBITDA) stood at ₹162.6 million.

The Company’s advertising business delivered strong momentum during the quarter, with advertising revenue growing 47.7% YoY to ₹1,797.1 million, compared to ₹1,216.6 million in Q1 FY26. Subscription revenue increased 9.9% to ₹111.4 million, compared with ₹101.3 million in the corresponding quarter.

Raktim Das, CEO, Zee Media Corporation Limited, said: “As we strongly take strategic growth-oriented steps forward, we aim towards realizing the true potential and power of Zee Media Corporation Limited, as a content and technology company, that is built with a rich blend of world class editorial capabilities, state-of-art-technology, data and AI. The Q1 FY27 performance has set the runway to enter the next phase of our growth journey.

He added: “We are taking a strategic and transformative leap forward to achieve a paradigm shift from a conventional advertising-led news company towards a diversified revenue stream media organisation. We are building a stronger, more diversified and future-ready Zee Media — deepening the leadership of our flagship brands - Zee News and Zee Business, reimagining Zee Bharat for a younger and more aspirational India, and elevating WION at the centre of our global growth ambitions. At the same time, we are also transforming our digital business around select, scalable and high-impact properties, strengthening our regional presence and unlocking new monetisation opportunities beyond traditional advertising.”

During the quarter, editorial excellence remained a key pillar of Zee Media’s performance, with Zee News and Zee 24 Ghanta delivering extensive, end-to-end coverage of the West Bengal Elections. The coverage spanned constituency-wise ground reportage, reporter-led insights, data-driven analysis, polling-day developments and real-time counting-day updates. Zee Media also brought the strength of its regional network to the Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry elections, combining national editorial scale with language-led, on-ground coverage and deep regional understanding.

Zee Media also expanded its global thought-leadership footprint through WION, with the Global Leadership & Innovation Summit in Sri Lanka bringing together policymakers, business leaders and experts to engage on the evolving India–Sri Lanka relationship and emerging opportunities for collaboration. Across the quarter, Zee Media further expanded its influence through 36 high-impact events spanning healthcare, travel and tourism, public policy, business, leadership, education, culture and community.

The Company continued to build its infotainment and cultural IP portfolio, extending its footprint into Purvanchal with Bhojpuri Samman — a star-studded celebration bringing together leading names from Bhojpuri cinema and entertainment and creating a powerful showcase of regional culture and identity.

Zee Bharat initiated its brand transformation journey, laying the foundation for a younger and fresher identity, with initiatives such as Green Champions supporting deeper engagement with the next generation. Zee Business continued to shape high-value financial conversations through marquee properties including Money Alpha, Wealth Summit and Bharose Ki Choice, while ranking #1 among competitors in YouTube VOD video views in Q1, according to Tubular.

Technology remained a critical enabler of Zee Media’s transformation, with AI-led tools being integrated across newsrooms and content workflows to enhance reporting, accelerate processes, strengthen data-driven storytelling and improve operational efficiency.

The quarter marks an important step in Zee Media’s journey towards becoming a more diversified, technology-enabled and future-ready media organisation, with continued focus on editorial excellence, differentiated IPs, regional and global expansion, digital innovation and sustainable growth.