HT Media has reported a 44% year-on-year increase in profit after tax (PAT) for FY26 to Rs 153 crore, compared to Rs 106 crore in FY25. The media company’s total revenue has remained largely stable at Rs 1,971 crore for the financial year ended March 31, 2026, according to its audited financial results presentation.
The company has recorded an 8% increase in EBITDA to Rs 298 crore during FY26, while EBITDA margin has expanded to 15% from 14% a year ago. For the fourth quarter, PAT has grown 15% year-on-year to Rs 96 crore, while EBITDA has risen 5% to Rs 131 crore.
HT Media’s print business has remained the key contributor to growth during the year. Advertising revenue from the print segment has increased 8% to Rs 1,148 crore, while operating revenue has grown 8% to Rs 1,500 crore. Operating EBITDA for the segment has surged 82% to Rs 208 crore, with margins expanding to 14% from 8% in FY25.
Within the print portfolio, the English print business has reported a 8% rise in annual advertising revenue to Rs 644 crore, supported by government and commercial advertising. The Hindi print business has recorded an 8% increase in advertising revenue to Rs 504 crore, aided by improved government revenue and performance across key commercial categories.
The radio business has remained under pressure during FY26. Operating revenue has declined 32% year-on-year to Rs 140 crore, while the segment has reported an operating EBITDA loss of Rs 22 crore. HT Media has attributed the decline to a higher base created by event-led revenues in the previous year and broader industry challenges.
The digital business has reported a 2% increase in operating revenue to Rs 155 crore during FY26. However, the segment has continued to report losses, with operating EBITDA standing at a negative Rs 8 crore.
“The fourth quarter of 2025-26 and the full year marked a period of decisive transformation for your Company, one characterised by meaningful improvement in profitability, even as consolidated revenue remained broadly stable on an annual basis.
Our Print business performed well, both for the quarter and the full year. Advertising-led revenue growth, across our English and Hindi mastheads, translated into higher profitability. In the near term though, rising newsprint costs, amplified by a weakening rupee and the prevailing global environment of supply chain disruptions, trade policy uncertainty and geopolitical volatility, remains a concern that we are managing with cost discipline.
The Radio business faced a tough year with revenue declining on a full year basis. Business was impacted by a high base from prior year’s event-led revenue, and was compounded by larger industry-wide issues. As part of the ongoing streamlining of our Radio business, your Company has surrendered non-viable licenses, sharpening the network footprint and improving business profitability.
In Digital, our results reflect a deliberate and value-accretive reset. The discontinuation of ‘OTTplay’ business is in line with our focus on profitable growth.
As always, your trust powers our journey. We remain unwavering in our commitment to trusted journalism, quality content for our diverse audiences and sustainable long-term value for our shareholders.”
— Shobhana Bhartia, Chairperson and Editorial Director, HT Media and Hindustan Media Ventures
