HT Media delivered an extraordinary financial turnaround in Q1 FY27, posting a consolidated net profit of ₹435 crore compared to a net loss of ₹11 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. This represents a 991% year-on-year increase in profitability, significantly exceeding market expectations and demonstrating the company's successful operational transformation. The Board of Directors approved these unaudited financial results on August 5, 2026, with statutory auditors S.R. Batliboi & Co. LLP issuing an unmodified review conclusion on the results. As per Business Standard, Chairperson and Editorial Director Shobhana Bhartia commented that the company began the financial year on a steady note with consolidated revenue growing year-on-year and profitability improving in tandem.
Operating revenue grew 11% to ₹437.30 crore in Q1 FY27, with total income reaching ₹496.96 crore compared to ₹433.76 crore in Q1 FY26. The print segment remained the anchor of business, with segment revenue growing 16.3% year-on-year to ₹376.11 crore, driven by strong advertising performance as reported by Business Standard. Advertising revenue within the print segment rose 15% and circulation revenue remained largely stable. Digital revenue moderated by 28% to ₹27.39 crore as the company deliberately reset its portfolio around leaner, more focused offerings to drive sustainable profitability. Radio broadcast and entertainment revenue declined 2.7% to ₹31.84 crore, though the segment continues operating on a more sustainable footprint following the surrender of licenses for non-viable stations.
EBITDA expanded dramatically by 224% to ₹900 crore in Q1 FY27, demonstrating enhanced cost management and operational leverage. Employee costs declined by 11% to ₹988 crore, while raw material expenses increased 15% to ₹1,167 crore, indicating that effective cost control measures are successfully offsetting inflationary pressures in newsprint and supply chains. The EBITDA margin expanded significantly from -7.17% to 5.57%, with the company achieving positive cash generation and improved operational health across all business segments. As per Business Standard, total expenses were at ₹441.54 crore, marginally down in the first quarter of FY27, while the company's core operational health is evident in the sustained margin expansion despite seasonal trends.
The quarter highlighted a significant divergence between HT Media's English and Hindi print businesses. The English print portfolio, led by Hindustan Times and Mint, reported 12% year-on-year growth in advertising revenue to ₹156 crore from ₹140 crore, though it declined 9% sequentially from ₹172 crore in Q4 FY26. Circulation revenue improved 14% year-on-year to ₹13 crore from ₹12 crore and remained flat quarter-on-quarter. In contrast, the Hindi print business, anchored by Hindustan, outperformed with advertising revenue rising 20% year-on-year to ₹139 crore compared with ₹116 crore in the year-ago period, though it was 2% lower than ₹142 crore reported in the previous quarter. Circulation revenue stood at ₹38 crore, marginally lower than ₹39 crore in Q1 FY26 and unchanged sequentially.
HT Media shares surged as much as 18% on Wednesday, August 5, following the company's impressive June quarter earnings performance. The strong market response reflects investor confidence in the company's operational turnaround and disciplined cost management strategy. HT Media shares settled at ₹28.30 on BSE, up 5.87% from the previous close, as reported by Business Standard. The company's market capitalization stands at ₹689.01 crore, with the stock showing strong momentum in recent trading sessions. HT Media shares have gained 17.70% over the past week, demonstrating sustained investor interest in the company's transformation story. However, Chairperson Shobhana Bhartia noted that elevated newsprint prices, a weaker rupee and global supply-chain uncertainties are causes for concern going forward.
Profit before depreciation and tax (PBDT) surged by 472% to ₹74.99 crore in Q1 FY27 from ₹13.10 crore in the previous year quarter. Profit before tax (PBT) reached ₹55.42 crore compared to a loss of ₹10.12 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year, indicating strong operational performance across all profitability metrics. Profit after tax (before exceptional items and share of joint ventures) rose nearly tenfold to ₹47 crore compared with ₹4 crore in Q1 FY26, taking PAT margin to 9% from 1% a year ago. The print segment's EBITDA margin expanded significantly, contributing ₹365 crore to segment results compared to just ₹8 crore in Q1 FY26, while the company's core operational health is evident in the sustained margin expansion despite seasonal trends.
