The Delhi-headquartered HT Media group, which publishes the English daily Hindustan Times, Hindi Hindustan, and business daily Mint and operates a host of digital properties and radio stations, has announced its consolidated first-quarter (Q1) results ending 30 June for the fiscal year 2025-26.
The HT Media group reported a net consolidated revenue of Rs 412 crore in Q1 FY26, as compared to Rs 379 crore in Q1 of the previous fiscal, registering a growth of 9% on-year. Total revenue was Rs 451 crore in Q1FY26 against Rs 427 crore in Q1FY25, a rise of 6%, the company stated in its financial statement released online.
HT Media’s losses came down from a Rs 27.59 crore loss in the first quarter of the previous fiscal to Rs 11.37 crore in Q1FY26.
Print registered a revenue of Rs 324 crore in Q1FY26, as compared to Rs 299 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal. Within print, advertisement revenue led with Rs 255 crore Q1FY26 against Rs 219 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year – registering a 17% on-year growth. Circulation revenue declined 8%, from Rs 55 crore in Q1FY25 to Rs 51 crore in Q1FY26.
Digital reported Rs 56 crore in revenue, as compared to Rs 47 crore in Q1FY25. Radio declined to Rs 31 crore in the quarter ending June 30, 2025, from Rs 35.71 crore in Q1FY25.
Raw material expense of HT Media was reported at Rs 101 crore in Q1FY26, a rise from Rs 98 crore in the same period, the previous year. Employee cost rose from Rs 113 crore to Rs 120 crore.
Hindustan Media Ventures, on the other hand, recorded Rs 183 crore operating revenue in Q1FY26 up 13% from Rs 162 crore in Q1FY25. PAT was recorded at Rs 10 crore in Q1FY25, a 1869% jump from Rs 1 crore in Q1FY25.
“The first quarter of the current financial year has begun on a strong note, with both operating revenue and profitability showing growth as compared to the previous year. The print business has seen strong growth in advertising revenue, reflecting our leading market presence and the continued relevance of print as an effective medium, said Shobhana Bhartia, chairperson and editorial director, HT Media & Hindustan Media Ventures.
“Our targeted efforts to grow circulation have delivered steady, sequential gains, further enhancing our reach. Growth in our radio business has been tepid, with the larger industry still facing challenges; however, we are pivoting the business with a renewed focus on growing non-free commercial time revenue. Meanwhile, our Digital businesses continue to show steady momentum, with our platforms – Mosaic, Shine and OTTplay driving growth through differentiated, future-ready offerings,” she said.
Bhartia said she is working toward accelerating the growth of the digital business, while deepening the impact of the print offerings and reimagining the radio business with experiential and integrated formats. “As always, your trust powers our journey. With a relentless focus on quality journalism and immersive entertainment, we are creating richer, more relevant experiences for our diverse and evolving audiences.”
It’s interesting to see HT Media’s print revenue growth despite the ongoing challenges in the sector. It really shows the potential for traditional media to adapt and innovate, especially if they focus on what’s unique about print, such as tangible, high-quality experiences.