Hindustan Media Ventures Exits OTTplay, Invests in Succession Planning

Revenue from operations (Consolidated) for the year ended March 31, 2026, stood at ₹739.64 crore. Profit after tax from continuing operations for the same period was ₹141.08 crore.

Reader Takeaway: Core business remains profitable, but strategic pivot to succession planning and exit from digital losses.

What just happened

Hindustan Media Ventures Limited has announced its audited financial results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026. Key decisions include discontinuing the OTTplay business effective March 31, 2026, and making a strategic investment of up to GBP 1.67 million (approximately ₹21.66 crore) in Assetvault Limited, which operates under the brand AasaanWill.

The company reported a consolidated revenue of ₹739.64 crore. Profit after tax from continuing operations was ₹141.08 crore, while losses from discontinued operations (OTTplay) amounted to ₹-92.39 crore for the year.

Why this matters

The decision to exit the OTTplay business aims to eliminate ongoing losses from the digital segment. The investment in Assetvault signals a strategic shift into the succession planning and legal services market, leveraging the company's media presence. This move could pave the way for future growth in a new sector.

The backstory

For the year ended March 31, 2026, Hindustan Media Ventures reported revenue from operations of ₹739.64 crore, an increase from ₹673.10 crore in the previous fiscal year. However, profit after tax from continuing operations saw a dip to ₹141.08 crore from ₹164.99 crore in FY25. The company received an unmodified audit opinion on its financial results.

What changes now

Hindustan Media Ventures will cease its OTTplay operations by March 2026, removing a source of losses. The investment in AasaanWill is a strategic diversification, marking a new direction for the company. No dividend has been recommended for FY 2025-26, suggesting a focus on conserving cash for strategic initiatives and operations.

Risks to watch

The company incurred a loss of ₹92.39 crore from its discontinued OTTplay operations in FY26. Additionally, exceptional costs of ₹15.19 crore related to Labour Codes impacted the reported profit. The success of the new investment in Assetvault will be a key factor to monitor.

Peer comparison

(Information not available in the filing)

Context metrics (time-bound)

• Revenue from operations (Consolidated): ₹739.64 crore for the year ended March 31, 2026 (vs. ₹673.10 crore for FY25).
• Profit after tax (Continuing): ₹141.08 crore for the year ended March 31, 2026 (vs. ₹164.99 crore for FY25).
• Loss after tax (Discontinued): ₹-92.39 crore for the year ended March 31, 2026.
• Investment in Assetvault: Up to ₹21.66 crore.

What to track next

Investors will be keen to see the integration and performance of the Assetvault investment. Monitoring the financial impact of discontinuing the OTTplay business and the company's ability to drive growth in its core publishing and new ventures will be crucial.