NDTV Q1 loss widens to Rs 82 crore despite 9% rise in revenue

The total income increased to Rs 120 cr, compared to Rs 112.6 cr in the corresponding quarter last year

by e4m Staff
Published: Jul 22, 2026 11:04 AM | 2 min read

New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV) reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 81.9 crore for Q1 2026, an increase from a loss of Rs 70.3 crore in the same quarter last year, despite an 8.9% rise in revenue to Rs 117.2 crore.
Standalone revenue from operations grew nearly 32% to Rs 71.6 crore, but the standalone net loss widened to Rs 76.5 crore from Rs 71.7 crore a year earlier, attributed to rising costs.
Total consolidated expenditure reached Rs 201.6 crore, with significant increases in production, employee, and marketing expenses, which accounted for nearly 28% of overall costs.
The company's financials were restated following the merger of several subsidiaries into NDTV, effective October 1, 2025, allowing for better comparability across reporting periods.

New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV) reported a wider consolidated net loss for the first quarter ended June 30, 2026, even as revenue registered healthy growth, with higher employee, production and distribution expenses continuing to pressure profitability.

The broadcaster posted a consolidated net loss of Rs 81.9 crore for the quarter, compared with a loss of Rs 70.3 crore in the year-ago period. Consolidated revenue from operations rose 8.9% year-on-year to Rs 117.2 crore, from Rs 107.7 crore a year earlier. Total income increased to Rs 120 crore, compared with Rs 112.6 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

On a standalone basis, the company reported revenue from operations of Rs 71.6 crore, up nearly 32% from Rs 54.2 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. However, the standalone net loss widened to Rs 76.5 crore from Rs 71.7 crore a year earlier, reflecting persistent cost pressures.

The company's total consolidated expenditure stood at Rs 201.6 crore, significantly higher than its total income. Production expenses and the cost of services rose to Rs 54.3 crore, while employee benefit expenses increased to Rs 49.1 crore. Marketing, distribution and promotional expenses remained the single-largest cost head at Rs 56.4 crore, accounting for nearly 28% of overall expenditure during the quarter. Finance costs stood at Rs 6.7 crore, while depreciation and amortisation expenses were Rs 9.9 crore.

The company's consolidated loss before tax narrowed sequentially from Rs 97.9 crore in the March quarter to Rs 81.9 crore, although it remained higher than the year-ago quarter. Earnings per share came in at negative Rs 7.24, compared with negative Rs 10.92 in the corresponding period last year after restatement of comparative numbers.

For the standalone business, quarterly expenses increased to Rs 151.4 crore, compared with Rs 131 crore in the year-ago period, offsetting the improvement in revenue. Employee costs climbed to Rs 35.4 crore, while marketing and promotional expenses rose to Rs 45.3 crore, underscoring continued investments in content distribution and audience acquisition.

The company said comparative financials have been restated following the amalgamation of NDTV Networks Ltd, NDTV Worldwide Ltd, NDTV Media Ltd and NDTV Labs Ltd into New Delhi Television Ltd. The merger became effective from October 1, 2025, and has been accounted for under Ind AS 103, enabling comparability across reporting periods.