DB Corp, publisher of Dainik Bhaskar, Divya Bhaskar and Divya Marathi, has reported its financial results for the second quarter (Q2) of FY-26-27 (1 July to 30 September 2026). The company reported consolidated revenue of Rs 614 crore for the second quarter of FY2027, compared with Rs 635 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. Net profit declined to Rs 69 crore from Rs 93 crore, while EBITDA fell to Rs 124 crore from Rs 158 crore.
The company attributed the year-on-year decline primarily to a shift in the festive calendar, with Navratri falling in the second quarter last year and moving to the third quarter this year. According to the company, advertising revenue and EBITDA registered positive single-digit growth on a like-to-like basis, excluding the impact of this shift. The deferred festive revenue is expected to support performance in Q3 FY2027.
Advertising revenue stood at Rs 411 crore, against Rs 439 crore in Q2 FY2026, while circulation revenue declined to Rs 116 crore from Rs 121 crore. Newsprint costs increased by 14% during the quarter, driven primarily by geopolitical uncertainties and related cost pressures. The company said it continued to focus on cost optimization, operational efficiency and inventory management to mitigate the impact.
H1 — Revenue up
For the first half of FY2027, DB Corp reported consolidated revenue of Rs 1,246 crore, up from Rs 1,222 crore in the corresponding period last year. Advertising revenue increased to Rs 843 crore from Rs 832 crore, while circulation revenue declined to Rs 236 crore from Rs 241 crore. EBITDA stood at Rs 289 crore, compared with Rs 297 crore, and net profit was Rs 169 crore against Rs 174 crore.
Commenting on the results, Sudhir Agarwal, managing director of D.B. Corp, said the company’s established market presence, trusted brands and relationships with advertisers had helped sustain its business amid challenging market conditions. He noted that below-normal monsoon conditions in parts of the country had weighed on sentiment during the quarter.
Agarwal said the company remained positive about the opportunities ahead, with the festive season expected to support advertising momentum and consumption across key markets. DB Corp will continue to focus on strengthening advertiser relationships, expanding reader engagement and maintaining operational efficiencies.
Digital growth
The company’s digital business continued to expand, with the combined monthly active users of the Dainik Bhaskar and Divya Bhaskar apps reaching nearly 18 million in August 2026, compared with 2 million in January 2020, according to Comscore data cited by the company. Its news apps have recorded more than 100 million downloads to date.
DB Corp said its digital strategy centres on original journalism, hyperlocal coverage, video content, personalised news experiences and technology-led improvements to user engagement and retention.
The company also highlighted its editorial initiatives, including investigative reporting on Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration raids, alleged irregularities in NEET-UG admissions and relief operations in flood-affected Bihar. These initiatives, it said, reflect its focus on public-interest journalism and accountability.
Its radio business, operated under the MY FM brand, reported quarterly revenue of Rs 39 crore, compared with Rs 43 crore a year earlier, while EBITDA stood at Rs 11 crore against Rs 13 crore.
Looking ahead, DB Corp said its regional presence, established newspaper brands and growing digital audience would remain central to its strategy as it navigates input-cost pressures and seeks to strengthen revenue growth in the second half of FY2027.
