Media in Meltdown: Inside the Financial Freefall of India’s Newsrooms

India’s media industry, historically a cornerstone of public discourse and democracy, is grappling with a profound economic crisis. The combination of declining advertisement revenues, digital disruption, rising operational costs, and financial mismanagement has led several prominent media organizations and news agencies into insolvency, restructuring, or severe financial distress.

Insolvency and Financial Distress Cases:

Sadhna Communications Pvt. Ltd.
Admitted into insolvency by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in July 2022, Sadhna Communications underwent a resolution process that culminated in October 2023, reflecting the precarious financial standing even among established broadcasters.

Sadhna Broadcast Ltd.
Known for regional news channels, faced significant regulatory scrutiny and financial turbulence. In February 2025, SEBI issued a settlement order regarding alleged stock manipulation through misleading digital content, underscoring financial and ethical vulnerabilities.

Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network Ltd.
Once a prominent entity behind channels like SAB TV, this network entered insolvency proceedings in 2022 due to mounting debt and dwindling revenues, marking a notable decline for a once-influential media group.

Struggling Media Companies and Agencies:

Hindustan Samachar Group
This major regional media player, publishing prominent dailies such as Jagbani and Punjabi Tribune, has been struggling with operational losses, wage delays, and temporary suspensions of certain editions due to rising print costs and falling revenues.

CNN-News18
Under Network18, CNN-News18 has seen bureau closures and substantial job cuts. While not insolvent, the channel faces ongoing financial pressures, forcing it to significantly restructure operations to maintain viability.

Zee Media Corporation Ltd.
Zee Media, which operates multiple regional and national channels, faced financial stress and restructuring. Despite its scale, declining ad revenues and high operational costs have led to job cuts and downsizing across its newsrooms.

National News Agencies Under Pressure:

Press Trust of India (PTI)
India’s largest news agency, PTI, has faced severe financial stress amid shrinking subscriptions from newspapers and broadcasters. Delays in wage payments and hiring freezes highlight its financial vulnerability.

United News of India (UNI)
UNI, another major news agency, has faced severe financial difficulties, leading to unpaid salaries, reductions in workforce, and operational cutbacks. Its financial struggles underscore the broader challenges faced by news syndicators in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Broader Industry Challenges:

• Advertising Revenue Collapse: Digital giants like Google and Meta dominate digital ad spending, leaving traditional media with drastically reduced revenues.
• Operational and Input Costs: Rising newsprint prices, high satellite fees, and infrastructure maintenance have squeezed profit margins severely.
• Changing Audience Habits: Audiences, particularly younger demographics, increasingly consume news through social media, YouTube, and independent digital creators, further undermining traditional media models.
• Political and Economic Pressures: Media houses increasingly rely on political patronage or corporate backing, raising concerns about editorial independence and financial sustainability.

Path Forward:

To survive this crisis, media entities need urgent restructuring, embracing diversified revenue streams, digital-first strategies, and editorial integrity to rebuild audience trust and financial health. The industry’s future may rely on agile, sustainable models emphasizing credibility, innovation, and audience engagement.