Sun TV Network delivered a strong performance in the September quarter of FY26, reporting a sharp increase in revenues driven by its expanding cricket franchise assets and higher operating income. However, rising expenses and increased depreciation weighed on overall profitability.
The broadcaster’s consolidated revenue for Q2 FY26 climbed 30% to ₹1,440 crore, up from ₹1,107 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. Revenue from operations rose even more sharply-up 39% to ₹1,300 crore versus ₹935 crore in Q2 FY25. For H1 FY26, operational revenue grew 15% to ₹2,590 crore, while total revenue reached ₹2,919 crore, marking a nearly 14% year-on-year increase.
The growth momentum was tempered by a substantial rise in costs. Total expenses for the quarter shot up 55% to ₹925.5 crore from ₹594 crore a year earlier. Depreciation and amortisation more than doubled to ₹404 crore compared to ₹196 crore in Q2 FY25, reflecting increased investments in content and cricket franchise assets. For the half-year period, expenses grew 31% to ₹1,705 crore, while depreciation rose 68% to ₹511 crore.
Despite robust revenue growth, profit after tax (PAT) declined 13% to ₹354 crore in Q2 FY26, compared with ₹409 crore last year. For H1 FY26, PAT stood at ₹883 crore, nearly 9% lower than ₹769 crore in H1 FY25.
A major development during the quarter was Sun TV Network’s acquisition of a 100% stake in Sunrisers Leeds Limited-formerly Northern Superchargers Limited-competing in England’s The Hundred cricket league. The acquisition, completed on July 28, 2025, for GBP 10.5 million, adds another key asset to the company’s expanding cricket ecosystem.
Cricket franchise income grew significantly, rising to ₹94.52 crore in Q2 FY26 from ₹9 crore last year. In H1 FY26, franchise income rose to ₹167.55 crore, up from ₹47.14 crore in the same period last year. Franchise-related costs also increased accordingly, reaching ₹72.70 crore for the quarter versus ₹1.34 crore in Q2 FY25, and ₹328.79 crore for H1 compared with ₹237.76 crore a year earlier.
