MAM
Shamsher Singh named managing editor for Times Group’s Hindi & vernacular languages
Veteran TV journalist set to steer Hindi and vernacular news strategy
NEW DELHI: Shamsher Singh, a seasoned face in Hindi television journalism, has been appointed managing editor for the Hindi and vernacular language publications of the Times Group, marking another prominent chapter in a career that has spanned nearly three decades in Indian newsrooms.
Singh brings with him a deep well of editorial experience shaped across some of the country’s most recognisable media brands. Most recently, he has been serving as consulting editor at Network18 Media & Investments Limited since September 2024.
Before that, he was editor in chief at India Daily Live from April 2023 to February 2024, where he oversaw the channel’s editorial direction during a period of rapid expansion in the digital news space.
His newsroom leadership journey includes a stint as managing editor at Zee Media Corporation Limited between December 2020 and November 2022. Prior to that, he held the same role as managing editor at Republic Bharat from November 2018 to November 2020, guiding the Hindi news channel through a fiercely competitive broadcast landscape.
Singh’s earlier roles also reflect his long-standing engagement with political and current affairs coverage. At Zee Media, he served as editor for national affairs from 2017 to 2018, while at India TV he was editor for current affairs between 2013 and 2017.
Much of his formative editorial work took place at Aaj Tak, where he spent more than 15 years as deputy editor from April 1998 to October 2013, shaping coverage during a transformative era for Indian television news.
An alumnus of Patna University, Singh holds a master’s degree in journalism.
With his latest appointment at the Times Group, Singh steps into a role that sits at the intersection of legacy media and India’s fast-evolving regional news ecosystem. His task now is to sharpen the editorial voice and expand the reach of the group’s Hindi and vernacular platforms in a market where language journalism continues to command vast and loyal audiences.
Brands
Sapphire Foods FY26 revenue rises to Rs 3,125 crore, posts loss
Q4 revenue at Rs 792 crore, FY26 loss at Rs 32 crore amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: If growth is on the menu, profitability seems to have taken a brief detour. Sapphire Foods India reported a steady rise in topline for FY26, even as rising costs weighed on profitability. Revenue from operations grew to Rs 3,125 crore for the year ended March 31, 2026, up from Rs 2,882 crore in FY25. However, the company swung to a loss, reporting a net loss of Rs 32 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 17 crore in the previous year. Total income for the year stood at Rs 3,153 crore, while total expenses climbed to Rs 3,167 crore, reflecting pressure across key cost heads.
In the March quarter, revenue came in at Rs 792 crore, compared to Rs 711 crore in the same period last year. The company reported a quarterly net loss of Rs 13 crore, against a profit of Rs 2 crore a year earlier.
Cost pressures remained visible across operations. Material costs rose to Rs 995 crore for FY26, while employee expenses increased to Rs 428 crore. Other expenses, the largest component, stood at Rs 1,229 crore, underscoring the impact of store operations and expansion-related spends.
Depreciation and amortisation expenses also climbed to Rs 392 crore for the year, reflecting continued investments in store infrastructure and growth.
At the operating level, the company reported a loss before tax of Rs 37 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 23 crore in FY25. Exceptional items added Rs 24 crore to the cost burden during the year.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 3,256 crore as of March 31, 2026, up from Rs 3,041 crore a year earlier, indicating ongoing expansion. Net worth stood at Rs 1,389 crore.
Despite profitability pressures, operating cash flow remained resilient at Rs 507 crore, highlighting underlying business strength and demand stability.
The numbers paint a familiar picture in the quick-service restaurant space, growth continues to be served hot, but margins are still finding their footing.
