DB Corp, publisher of Dainik Bhaskar, Divya Bhaskar, Divya Marathi and Saurashtra Samachar, reported advertising revenue of Rs 4,320 million (Rs 432 crore) for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, registering a 10% year-on-year increase from Rs 3,933 million (Rs 393.3 crore) in the corresponding quarter last year.
The company said advertising demand remained broad-based during the quarter, with healthy traction from sectors including real estate, jewellery, FMCG and government, alongside encouraging momentum across most other categories. According to DB Corp, the performance underscores the continued relevance of print media and the company’s leadership across its core markets.
Driven by the strong advertising performance, total revenue for the quarter rose 8% year-on-year to Rs 6,320 million, while EBITDA increased 19% to Rs1,647 million. EBITDA margin improved by 250 basis points to 26.1%, compared with 23.6% in the year-ago period. Net profit also increased to Rs1,007 million, up from Rs 808 million in Q1 FY26.
Circulation revenue remained largely stable at Rs 1,204 million, compared with Rs 1,203 million a year earlier, despite seasonal factors and rising newsprint costs. The company said its continued focus on cost optimisation and operational efficiencies helped mitigate input cost pressures and protect margins.
DB Corp also highlighted the continued growth of its digital business, with Monthly Active Users (MAUs) across its news apps reaching around 19 million as of May 2026. The company said Dainik Bhaskar continues to be the No. 1 Hindi and Gujarati news app, supported by investments in premium journalism, hyperlocal coverage and technology-led user experiences.
Commenting on the performance for Q1FY27, Sudhir Agarwal, Managing Director, DB Corp, said, “We are pleased to report our performance for Q1FY27, which reflects the continued strength and resilience of our core businesses. Our continued focus on disciplined execution and a sharper focus on operational efficiency helped us deliver a healthy improvement in overall profitability during the quarter. On the advertising front, demand remained strong and broad-based, with healthy traction across Real Estate, Jewellery, FMCG and Government sectors, and encouraging momentum across most other categories as well.”
He also added, “While input costs saw some pressure during the quarter on account of broader macroeconomic and geopolitical factors, our teams remained sharply focused on cost optimization, helping us protect margins and operating efficiency even in a challenging environment. Overall, we head into the rest of FY27 with confidence, backed by consistent execution, a resilient advertising franchise, and a growing digital presence. We remain committed to strengthening our market position and driving sustainable, long-term value for all our stakeholders.”
