In the performance highlights for Q1 FY2022, due to disturbed base of Qtr 1 FY 21 due to covid resurgence, yoy comparable are not meaningful. Advertising revenue stood at Rs 1,713-million as against Rs 1,070-million. Circulation revenue stood at Rs 1106 million as against Rs 928-million. Total revenue came in at Rs 3,080-million as against Rs 2157-million.

EBIDTA stands at Rs 51-million as against EBIDTA loss of Rs 278-million, aided by efficient cost control measures and despite large digital business investment for future growth. Net loss stands at Rs 223-million as against Rs 480-million

The Dainik Bhaskar Group displayed tremendous resilience in the face of the second wave of Covid-19. With the learnings from the first wave, a carefully calibrated editorial and circulation strategy meant that the disruptions were localised and minimal. More importantly, the pace at which operations regained normalcy upon easing of restrictions highlights the planning and strategic steps taken by the Group over the past year.

On the advertising front, the economy is experiencing a broad-based recovery as the country recovers from the second wave of Covid-19. This is especially true for the non-metro towns and cities that Dainik Bhaskar operates in. As a result, the demand for print ad space is witnessing an upsurge, advertisers are increasingly turning to print media, the most credible medium, to announce their return to business, with every month sales improvement from April to June and now July.

Dainik Bhaskar Group’s leadership in the print sector was validated by the signing of an exclusive advertisement deal with Škoda Auto India for the advertising campaign for its newly launched Škoda Kushaq. This deal, in addition to its recent large deal with Honda Motorcycles and Scooters, is a result of the company's outstanding journalism practices, which has earned it the title of the most credible news medium.

Sudhir Agarwal, managing director, DB Corp, said, “The circulation and editorial strategies that we have been following have always given us strong results, and this quarter too is a testament to the fact that when we remain true to our values, results will follow. With its ability to reach mass audiences, ease of executing geo-targeted campaigns, and bespoke communication with category-specific audiences, international brands continue to rely on print media in general and Indian language newsprint in particular to reach out to a large audience.”