Mumbai: DB Corp Limited (DBCL), a print media company and publisher of leading newspapers Dainik Bhaskar, Divya Bhaskar, Divya Marathi and Saurashtra Samachar, announced its financial results for the second quarter and half-year ended September 30, 2025, showcasing steady growth across its print, digital, and radio segments.
Robust Revenue and Profit Growth
DB Corp reported a 12% year-on-year (YoY) growth in advertising revenue to ₹4,478 million in Q2 FY26, supported by a favorable macro environment, early festive season, GST rate cuts, and improved consumer sentiment.
Total revenue grew 9% YoY to ₹6,347 million, while EBIDTA rose 10% YoY to ₹1,584 million. Net profit stood at ₹935 million, marking a 13% YoY increase, underscoring the company’s sustained profitability.
For H1 FY26, DB Corp’s consolidated advertising revenue reached ₹8,455 million, growing 2% YoY, while total revenue rose to ₹12,219 million.
The company’s print business recorded 12% YoY ad revenue growth and maintained a healthy EBIDTA margin of 28%, supported by stable newsprint costs at around ₹47,000 per ton.
Dainik Bhaskar Retains Leadership in Circulation
According to the latest ABC Report (Jan–July 2025), Dainik Bhaskar reinforced its position as India’s largest circulated newspaper group, with the overall print industry growing 3% during the period. The Group achieved circulation gains in key focus markets through market-specific strategies and on-ground execution.
Digital Business: India’s #1 Phygital News Platform
DB Corp’s digital arm continues to expand rapidly, with ~20 million monthly active users (MAUs) on its apps as of August 2025.
According to Comscore, Dainik Bhaskar is now India’s fastest-growing and #1 news app, with MAUs rising from 1.6 million in 2020 to 16.8 million in 2025. Divya Bhaskar follows with 3.2 million MAUs, far ahead of other Hindi and Gujarati news competitors.
Sudhir Agarwal, Managing Director, DB Corp Ltd., “We are pleased to report another quarter of steady performance, backed by a healthy pick-up in advertising momentum aided by the early onset of the festive season and the positive impact of GST rate reductions across key consumption categories. These factors, coupled with a broad-based improvement in consumer sentiment, drove consistent advertiser engagement across our platforms. Our digital business continues to scale rapidly, reinforcing our position as India’s leading Indian language news app platform.
“As we look ahead, we remain encouraged by the government’s pro-consumption measures, which are expected to stimulate demand in Tier II and III markets—the core of our readership base. With our deep editorial strength, trusted brand equity, and growing digital reach, we are well-positioned to capture opportunities across print and digital media, and to continue delivering sustained growth and long term value for all stakeholders.”
Editorial Excellence and Investigative Leadership
Dainik Bhaskar continues to lead with impactful journalism through standout coverage including:
- Gen-Z Protests in Nepal, setting benchmarks in international protest reporting.
- In-depth analysis of GST slab reforms, offering clarity and actionable insights.
- Investigative exposés such as the MP University Fee Scam and Bogus Political Donations uncovered by Divya Bhaskar.
- Teachers’ Day “Shreshth Shikshak Samman” campaign celebrating educators with over 37,000 nominations nationwide.
Radio Business and Engagement Initiatives
MY FM maintained steady growth, with advertising revenue up 4% YoY to ₹430 million and continued innovation in content with initiatives like:
- Sur Salute – a patriotic campaign endorsed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
- Comedy Punchayat – India’s first on-air stand-up comedy show.
- Nayab Nazariya with poet Nayab Midha, and Aha Zindagi featuring Anupam Kher.
Sustainability and CSR
The Group continued its social initiatives under Ek Ped Ek Zindagi, planting over 10,000 saplings and distributing 25,500 jute bags.
Other notable initiatives included Plastic Nahi, Jute Sahi (winner at the Indian CSR Awards), Mahakal Sawari Drone Pushpvarsha, and the Shreshth Shikshak Samman awards.
Corporate Branding & Reader Engagement
Flagship reader campaigns such as ‘Ad Dekho Inaam Pao’ and ‘Jeeto Sona Chandi’ drove massive engagement, with over 2 crore total entries and 46,000+ participants across 10 cities, reinforcing Dainik Bhaskar’s deep market connect.
