HT Media to consider raising funds through rights issue; board meeting on July 11

New Delhi: HT Media is considering raising capital through multiple financing options, including a rights issue, preferential allotment, equity shares, convertible securities, bonds and debentures, with its board meeting to mull over it on July 11, 2026. In a regulatory filing on Tuesday, the company said the board would “deliberate upon, consider and evaluate” various fundraising alternatives rather than committing to a specific route. The move comes as the media company looks to strengthen its capital structure despite reporting improved operating performance in FY26. The filing does not disclose the size of the proposed fundraise or the purpose for which the proceeds may be used. A final decision, if any, is expected after the board meeting. The company also said its trading window for designated persons, including directors and their immediate relatives, will remain closed until 48 hours after the declaration of its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. The fundraising proposal follows a year in which HT Media's print business emerged as the group's strongest growth engine. Print advertising revenue rose 8% year-on-year to Rs 1,148 crore in FY26, while print operating revenue increased 8% to Rs 1,500 crore. Operating EBITDA for the print segment jumped 82% to Rs 208 crore, with margins expanding to 14% from 8% a year earlier. At the consolidated level, revenue remained largely flat at Rs 1,971 crore in FY26 compared with Rs 1,964 crore in FY25. However, EBITDA before exceptional items increased 8% to Rs 298 crore, while PAT before exceptional items rose 44% to Rs 153 crore. The group's reported performance was weighed down by exceptional losses and the discontinuation of its OTTplay business. After accounting for discontinued operations, HT Media reported a consolidated loss of Rs 49.07 crore for FY26, compared with a profit of Rs 14.20 crore in the previous year. Despite the reported loss, the company ended FY26 with a net cash position of Rs 1,001 crore, broadly unchanged from Rs 1,008 crore a year earlier, providing a relatively strong liquidity position even as it evaluates fresh capital-raising options.