DB Corp, publisher of Dainik Bhaskar, Divya Bhaskar, Divya Marathi, and Saurashtra Samachar, has announced its financial results for the quarter (Q1) ending June 30 of the financial year (FY) 2025-26.
The company reported a more than fifty percent fall in consolidated net profit from Rs 117.83 crore to Rs 80.84 crore and a decline in revenue from operations from Rs 589.85 crore to Rs 559.45 crore in Q1 FY2025-26 compared to Q1 FY2024-25.
Total revenue – operating revenue plus income from other sources – also fell to Rs. 587.2 crore in Q1 FY2025-26 as against Rs. 616.3 crore in the same period of the last financial year. Profit before tax was Rs 107.61 crore in the first quarter of in FY2025-26, down 31.61% year on year from Rs 157.36 crore.
The company’s advertising revenue went down to Rs 397.80 crore in Q1 in FY2025-26, compared to Rs 427.70 crore in Q1 FY2024-25. Circulation revenue went up from Rs 119.2 crore in Q1 FY2024-25 to Rs 120.30 crore in Q1 FY2025-26. EBIDTA fell to Rs 138.40 crore in Q1 FY2025-26 compared to Rs 190.90 crore in Q1 FY2024-25.
Interestingly, DB Corp had been delivering a 13% CAGR growth in advertisement revenue in the last three-year period from Rs 1182.7 crore in FY2021-22 to Rs 1689.9 crore in FY2024-25. Similarly, PAT had delivered a 38% CAGR growth in last three years from Rs 142.6 crore in FY2021-22 to Rs 371.0 crore in FY2024-25.
The company, however, claims growth momentum was maintained in Q1 FY2025-26 on a comparable basis, if the election-driven rise in advertising revenue recorded in Q1FY2024-25 is excluded.
Sudhir Agarwal, managing director, DB Corp, however, sounded optimistic, saying that despite a high base effect from last year’s general elections, which had driven a temporary surge in advertising revenues, the company’s core performance remained steady – supported by stable advertising trends, soft newsprint prices, and disciplined cost structures.
“Our digital business continues to scale rapidly, with Monthly Active Users reaching the 22 million mark this quarter – reinforcing our position as India’s leading Indian language news app platform.”
Agarwal said the government’s continued focus on enhancing disposable incomes through income tax rationalization, softening of interest rates, and the anticipated implementation of the 8th Pay Commission this fiscal, will further stimulate economic activity, particularly across Tier II markets and beyond .
“This is expected to provide a strong tailwind to Bharat’s consumption story. Backed by our deep editorial strength, hyperlocal relevance, and continuous product innovation, we remain confident in our ability to drive sustainable growth across both print and digital platforms, while delivering long-term value to all stakeholders”
In FY 2024-25, the company had delivered revenue of Rs 2421.2 crore, an EBITDA of Rs 627.0 crore and PAT of Rs 371.0 crore amid tough market conditions in the last quarter ending March 31.
