DB Corp posts total revenue of Rs 629 crore in Q3FY26

DB Corp reported a muted performance in the third quarter of FY26, with both revenue and profitability declining on a year-on-year basis, even as sequential trends remained largely flat.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2025, DB Corp’s total income stood at Rs 629.3 crore, down 4 percent from Rs 655.6 crore in Q3 FY25 and marginally lower by 0.8 percent compared to Rs 634.7 crore in the preceding quarter.

Revenue from operations for the quarter was Rs 605.3 crore, compared with Rs 642.7 crore in the year-ago period, reflecting a year-on-year decline of about 5.8 percent. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, revenue slipped 1.5 percent from Rs 614.4 crore in Q2 FY26.

At the operating level, consolidated EBITDA came in at Rs 159.2 crore, declining 16.3 percent from Rs 190.2 crore reported in Q3 FY25. On a sequential basis, EBITDA was largely flat, inching up 0.5 percent from Rs 158.4 crore in Q2 FY26.

Profit before tax for Q3 FY26 stood at Rs 128.8 crore. While this marked a marginal quarter-on-quarter increase of about 2 percent from Rs 126.3 crore in Q2 FY26, it was sharply lower by nearly 19.5 percent compared to Rs 160.1 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

Net profit for the quarter was reported at Rs 95.5 crore, up 2.2 percent sequentially from Rs 93.5 crore in the September quarter, but down 19.2 percent year-on-year from Rs 118.2 crore in Q3 FY25.

Segment-wise, the printing, publishing and allied businesses continued to account for the bulk of revenues. Advertisement revenue from print and other businesses declined 6.9 percent year-on-year to Rs 398.6 crore, compared to Rs 428.2 crore in Q3 FY25. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, print ad revenue fell 1.6 percent from Rs 405.1 crore.

Radio advertisement revenue also remained under pressure, declining 15.7 percent year-on-year to Rs 41.0 crore, from Rs 48.6 crore in the year-ago period. Sequentially, radio ad revenue slipped 4.3 percent from Rs 42.9 crore in Q2 FY26.

Circulation revenue stood at Rs 117.8 crore, down 1.4 percent year-on-year and 2.5 percent quarter-on-quarter, indicating continued softness in reader revenues.

On the other hand, consolidated other operating revenue rose 21.1 percent year-on-year to Rs 72.0 crore and increased 8.9 percent sequentially, offering some support to the topline.

At the segmental profitability level, EBITDA from print and other businesses declined 14.5 percent year-on-year to Rs 146.5 crore, though it was marginally higher by 0.8 percent compared to the previous quarter. Radio EBITDA fell sharply by 32.1 percent year-on-year to Rs 12.7 crore and was down 2.4 percent sequentially, reflecting continued stress in the radio advertising market.

Commenting on the performance, Sudhir Agarwal, managing director, DB Corp, said the company delivered a stable performance in a quarter impacted by a higher base due to the festive season and state elections in the same period last year. He noted that a larger part of festive advertising spends shifted to the September quarter this year, making year-on-year comparisons less comparable. Agarwal added that advertiser sentiment improved sequentially through the quarter, reflecting a gradual pick-up in demand across markets, while cost discipline and operational efficiencies helped sustain margins.

Looking ahead, Agarwal said the company remains positive on the consumption outlook, citing the upcoming Union Budget, expected revisions in government pay and allowances and other policy measures as potential tailwinds for the fourth quarter. He added that improving sequential trends, along with the company’s strong brand, editorial connect and expanding digital reach, position DB Corp to tap emerging opportunities over the medium to long term.