ITV

Tag: ABP Network

  • Abp Network launches Bae, its live entertainment vertical

    Abp Network launches Bae, its live entertainment vertical

    MUMBAI: Abp Network has found its new Bae, and it is not what you think. The media powerhouse has launched BAE (Before Anyone Else), an experience-first entertainment vertical that promises to reinvent live events with concerts and large-format experiences built to stay in memory long after the night ends.

    The move marks Abp’s entry into India’s fast-growing live entertainment sector, which crossed Rs 10,000 crore in 2024 with a 15 per cent rise, according to the EY media & entertainment report. The industry is expected to touch Rs 16,700 crore by 2027, driven by audiences who value immersive moments over material mementos.

    “The event industry in India is experiencing unprecedented growth,” said ABP Network CEO Sumanta Datta. “We are excited to announce Bae, our new entertainment vertical that will curate memorable experiences for audiences.”

    Leading this new chapter is Rajat Uppal, who recently Abp Network joined as Bae business head. Uppal recently stepped down from his role at Stage Aaj Tak, the consumer events vertical of the India Today Group launched earlier this year. Before that, he served as national marketing and programming head at India Today Group’s radio network, 104.8 ishq fm.  

    Uppal added that the brand will focus on crafting events that resonate with the country’s evolving cultural pulse. “Audiences, especially Gen Z, are increasingly spending on experiences. With Bae, our goal is to create diverse and memorable live experiences that truly connect with them,” he said.

     

  • Madison Media’s Vikram Sakhuja takes over as chairman of MRUC

    Madison Media’s Vikram Sakhuja takes over as chairman of MRUC

    MUMBAI: Madison World, partner group ceo, Madison Media & OOH, Vikram Sakhuja has been elected chairman of the MRUC (Media Research Users Council of India). The MRUCI board approved his appointment at its annual general meeting, with Sakhuja succeeding Shailesh Gupta of Jagran Media. He had been vice-chairman of the body since 2024.

    Joining him on the new leadership slate, Dhruba Mukherjee, director at ABP Network, has been elected vice-chairman, while Shashi Sinha, executive chairman of IPG Mediabrands, will head the IRS technical committee, a role Sakhuja previously held.

    An alumnus of IIT Delhi and IIM Calcutta, Sakhuja brings nearly four decades of experience across marketing, media and advertising. He has held leadership roles at P&G (Procter & Gamble), Coca-cola, Star TV, Mindshare, Groupm and Maxus Worldwide, before taking over at Madison in 2015. 

  • ABP Live drives into Maruti Suzuki dashboards with 24×7 news and podcasts

    ABP Live drives into Maruti Suzuki dashboards with 24×7 news and podcasts

    MUMBAI:  ABP live, the digital arm of ABP network, has teamed up with Maruti Suzuki to bring round-the-clock news, podcasts and infotainment directly into car dashboards, making the morning commute a little less mundane.

    The partnership makes ABP live the first Indian digital news publisher to be integrated natively into Maruti Suzuki’s in-car infotainment system, Maruti connect. Starting later this year, drivers will be able to tune into ABP News in Hindi, ABP Majha in Marathi and ABP Ananda in Bengali, alongside a slate of podcasts on culture, lifestyle and current affairs.

    With more than 25 million Maruti vehicles already on the road, the tie-up promises to transform how Indians catch up with the world while on the move, whether stuck in Delhi’s gridlock or cruising down the Mumbai-Pune expressway.

    ABP Network, chief executive, Sumanta Datta said, “Our collaboration is about much more than delivering content; it’s about creating convenience, credibility and connection. Whether drivers are facing city congestion or open highways, ABP Live ensures trusted news and engaging audio are always accessible.”

    By embedding credible journalism into India’s largest car fleet, the partnership puts ABP Live at the wheel of connected mobility. For Maruti drivers, infotainment will no longer be an afterthought but part of the journey itself.

  • Subhojit Roy joins Sony Pictures Networks India as VP, ad sales

    Subhojit Roy joins Sony Pictures Networks India as VP, ad sales

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India has appointed Subhojit Roy as vice president, ad sales, strengthening its leadership ranks as it seeks to sharpen its commercial edge in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

    Roy brings with him over 14 years of experience in media and technology sales, having previously held senior roles at TV Today, ABP Network, Viacom18, Zee Studios and Reliance Broadcast Network. Most recently, he served as vice president, sales and strategy at TV Today, where he led monetisation efforts across broadcast and digital verticals.

    An alumnus of ICFAI University and IIM Ahmedabad, Roy has been a driving force behind branded content monetisation, revenue expansion through original IPs, and advertiser-led partnerships. His career spans stints in digital, broadcast, OTT and even government-tech interface sales, underscoring his deep understanding of both legacy and emerging revenue streams.

    At Sony Pictures Networks, Roy is expected to helm advertising strategy across the network’s diverse portfolio, bringing a data-driven approach to branded content, inventory optimisation, and advertiser solutions. His appointment comes at a time when broadcasters are grappling with shrinking linear margins and the urgent need to futureproof monetisation models through digital convergence.

    In his own words, Roy believes, “Almost every industry is getting massively disrupted by the combination of tech and media. Embrace it and empower your people.”

  • Rituraj Dasgupta rises to GM & head of brand solutions at ABP Network

    Rituraj Dasgupta rises to GM & head of brand solutions at ABP Network

    MUMBAI: Rituraj Dasgupta has stepped into a new role as general manager and head – brand solutions at ABP Network, where he will helm the company’s freshly-minted Created Business vertical. 

    The mandate? 

    A sharp blend of content, creativity and brand strategy to deliver impact-driven partnerships.

    With over two decades of experience across advertising, media sales, and integrated marketing, Dasgupta now leads marketing strategy, client success, and partnerships at one of India’s leading media houses. Prior to this, he served as deputy general manager at ABP Group, where he steered content-led marketing solutions for national clients in West Bengal, aligning editorial insights with business outcomes.

    From stints at Mid Day, 9X Media, DNA, and The Times of India, Dasgupta brings a deep understanding of stakeholder engagement and revenue-focused brand narratives. His career has been marked by an instinct for building tailored solutions and measurable results — a trait likely to define the next phase at ABP Network.
    Now based in Mumbai and operating on-site, Dasgupta is expected to spearhead the network’s ambition to turn storytelling into a business engine.

    (If you are an Anime fan and love Anime like Demon Slayer, Spy X Family, Hunter X Hunter, Tokyo Revengers, Dan Da Dan and Slime, Buy your favourite Anime merchandise on AnimeOriginals.com.)

  • Anushrav Gulati plugs into ABP Network as chief digital officer

    Anushrav Gulati plugs into ABP Network as chief digital officer

    MUMBAI:  Powering up for its next phase of digital evolution, ABP Network has appointed Anushrav Gulati as chief digital officer (CDO), bringing in a battle-hardened media and ad-tech pro with over two decades of deep digital DNA.

    With a career spanning the trenches of Infosys to the command centres of Network18 and Times Internet, Gulati has now taken guard at ABP Network as of May 2025—his latest inning in an already formidable game.
    From cracking programmatic codes at Network18 and leading digital ad sales at Times Internet, to building programmatic revenue models and launching performance-driven platforms at TVOptima, Gulati’s résumé reads like a playbook for India’s digital advertising future.

    Prior to this move, Gulati was head of sales and business development at TVOptima, where he moonlighted as a consultant and rainmaker for ad-tech startups. His work involved sealing high-stakes partnerships, taming tech integrations, and creating monetisation magic—earning him stripes as both a sales strategist and digital fixer.

    His longest tenure was with TCS (eight years), where he cut his teeth in project management, before moving up the product ladder at Infosys, Globallogic, Lime Labs, and letsbuy.com, gaining chops in product development and leadership.

    At Times Internet, he helmed digital ad sales and managed targets across marquee properties. At India TV, as vp – digital, he built the digital vertical from scratch, owning both growth and the P&L. His stint at Network18 saw him leading programmatic revenues for top brands like Moneycontrol, News18 and Firstpost, where he managed everything from SSP relations to syndication.

    Armed with a toolkit of AI, CRM, ad-tech, programmatic smarts, leadership and strategic business development, Gulati now steps into ABP with a clear mission—accelerate the broadcaster’s digital transformation, bolster advertising revenues, and bring the network’s digital game up to global speed.
    If his past playbook is anything to go by, expect ABP Network to double down on product innovation, AI-backed audience strategies, and sleek monetisation models.

    Watch this space—Gulati doesn’t just transform systems, he rewires playbooks.

  • India TV tunes into Roy wave to boost outreach and storytelling

    India TV tunes into Roy wave to boost outreach and storytelling

    MUMBAI: India TV has turned up the volume on its brand playbook with the appointment of Mohit Roy Sharma as head, communications & outreach, a move that signals the news network’s intent to strike a sharper chord with audiences across platforms.

    Known for orchestrating some of India’s biggest media IPs, Sharma isn’t just stepping into a new role, he’s bringing nearly three decades of storytelling, strategy and stagecraft with him. From Agenda Aaj Tak to Ideas of India, his portfolio reads like a greatest hits album of Indian news media events.

    In his new gig, Sharma will be instrumental in shaping India TV’s voice as it navigates a rapidly evolving newsscape. The goal? Smarter engagement, stronger visibility, and campaigns that cut through the clutter without losing the signal.

    Previously senior executive editor and head of corporate communications at ABP Network, Sharma spearheaded initiatives that blended editorial gravitas with brand muscle. His tenure saw the rise of marquee properties like The Southern Rising and Roots & Rhythms, earning him a reputation for insight-driven innovation.

    Commenting on the appointment India TV managing director Ritu Dhawan said “We are delighted to onboard Mohit Roy Sharma to the India TV leadership team at a time when the media landscape is undergoing rapid transformation. His well-versed experience in strategic communications & brand outreach, brings immense value to the group. His ability to align communication strategies to create brand visibility through his media relation will strengthen our positioning and will play an essential role in enhancing our presence and relevance across platforms.

    With this move, India TV isn’t just adding a new voice, it’s remixing its outreach game with a seasoned hand on the console.

  • Aamir Khan slams Hindi cinema’s bad scripts, says good films can’t be stopped

    Aamir Khan slams Hindi cinema’s bad scripts, says good films can’t be stopped

    MUMBAI: Hindi cinema needs to raise its game—and fast. That was the clear message from celebrated actor and filmmaker Aamir Khan at ABP Network’s high-octane India @ 2047 Summit, a national thinkfest charting India’s journey to becoming a fully Viksit Bharat by its centenary year.

    “India has no shortage of stories. The problem is the way we’re telling them,” Khan quipped in a sharp takedown of the Hindi film industry’s recent flops. “Hindi cinema is making bad films. You can’t stop a good film, and you can’t force a bad one to be a hit.”

    He didn’t hold back in comparing the current business model unfavourably to the booming south Indian industry. “We release films theatrically, and in eight weeks they’re available at home. Why would anyone go to a theatre?” he asked, pointing to a post-pandemic shift in viewing habits and a shrinking window between theatrical and satellite premieres.

    Speaking in the session The Attention Industry: Telling the Best Stories, Khan struck a nuanced note. “Box office numbers matter, but they’re not the only yardstick. We also need better stories, better policy support, and frankly, more screens.”

    Taking a macro view, Khan welcomed initiatives like Waves that support the creative industries, urging deeper government collaboration. “India has only 10,000 screens. For Hindi films, we get just 5,000. Compare that with China’s 90,000 or the US’s 35,000. We need more theatres, faster licensing, and incentives to build supporting infrastructure,” he said.

    Khan also teased his upcoming film Sitare Zameen Par, calling it a spiritual successor to his 2007 classic Taare Zameen Par. 

    “It carries the inclusion theme ten steps forward, but this time through comedy. My character Gulshan is a hot-headed basketball coach—the opposite of the gentle Nikumbh,” he smiled. “It’s about how we each define what ‘normal’ means.”

    In true method-actor style, Khan recounted not bathing for days while filming Raakh and Ghulam, laughing, “I had to look like I lived on the streets!”

    On his long-cherished dream of adapting the Mahabharat, Khan said, “That’s a sacred story. It won’t let you down—but you could let it down.” While coy about which character he’d play, he admitted, “Krishna inspires me a lot.”

    He also reflected on missing the re-release of cult comedy Andaz Apna Apna due to the Pahalgam terror attack. “We were devastated. I couldn’t bring myself to attend the premiere. But I trust the government will bring the perpetrators to justice.”

    Recounting a post-Article 370 visit to Srinagar, Khan noted, “There was peace and calm. The lockdown had just ended, but it felt like normalcy was returning.”

    On his unusual compensation model, Khan revealed he doesn’t charge fees upfront. “If the film profits, I earn. If it flops, I don’t. I didn’t take a rupee for Laal Singh Chaddha. I believe in putting my money where my mouth is.”

    At 58, Khan may be selective in his projects, but his voice still packs punch. Hindi cinema makers consider yourself warned.

  • Saikat Dutta revs up ABP Network as new revenue head

    Saikat Dutta revs up ABP Network as new revenue head

    MUMBAI: Saikat Dutta is putting his foot firmly on the pedal at ABP Network Pvt Ltd, joining as the network revenue head in April 2025 with a burst of fresh energy and an enviable track record in turbocharging ad sales across India’s media landscape.

    Dutta, whose career has zipped through some of the country’s biggest networks, will now steer pan-India advertising sales for ABP News, ABP Ananda, ABP Majha and ABP Asmita, besides beefing up digital revenues across connected TV, web, and app platforms.

    With 24 years of punching above his weight in advertising sales, Dutta’s resume reads like a greatest hits album: from TV Today (where he drove ad sales for Aaj Tak, Aaj Tak HD, and Good News Today) to a stint as chief operating officer at Patanjali Media, and earlier as a revenue honcho for Sun TV Network’s GEC cluster in the north and east markets.

    Before that, he made his mark at India TV, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, Asia TV USA Ltd, Star TV, and ABP Group, helping these media giants rake in crores through innovative and integrated ad solutions.
    From selling blockbuster shows to orchestrating strategic alliances, Dutta has consistently delivered standout results.

    In his own words, it’s “new role, new energy!” — and with a toolkit spanning strategic planning, B2B sales, key account development, and solution selling, Dutta looks ready to crank up ABP Network’s revenue engine into overdrive.

  • ABP tops the charts with regional flair and a digital news power play

    ABP tops the charts with regional flair and a digital news power play

    MUMBAI: Who says news is all doom and gloom? For ABP Network, it’s a story worth celebrating in five languages, no less. According to Comscore MMX-Multi-Platform data for February 2025, ABP Network has emerged as India’s third-largest digital publisher, pulling in a whopping 147.9 million unique visitors and outpacing media giants like HT Media, Zee Digital, India Today Group, Times Network, and NDTV.

    But this isn’t just a numbers game, it’s a masterclass in multilingual domination. ABP’s regional powerhouses are sweeping through Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, and Punjabi markets like seasoned newsroom ninjas.

    In the Hindi segment, ABP News surged ahead with 75.7 million unique visitors, outshining its nearest rival by over 18 million, a staggering lead that cements its top slot in India’s most competitive news space.

    ABP Ananda waltzed through the Bengali market with 18.9 million UVs, dancing 11.8 million steps ahead of the competition. Meanwhile, ABP Majha proved its mettle in Marathi with 19.2 million visitors, comfortably ahead of Sakal Media and Lokmat.

    Over in Gujarat, ABP Asmita swept up 5.3 million unique visitors, leaving behind TV9 Gujarati, Divyabhaskar, and News18 Gujarati. ABP Sanjha flexed its Punjabi muscle with 1.2 million UVs, clinching the top spot ahead of News18 Punjab and Punjab Kesari Jagbani.

    And in the Tamil market, newcomer ABP Nadu made a statement, grabbing second place with 9 million visitors, becoming the youngest publisher to break into the leadership ranks.

    From legacy strongholds to new frontiers, ABP Network is clearly not just chasing eyeballs, it’s curating digital loyalty across India’s media map. With its blend of regional relevance, digital-first strategy, and journalistic agility, ABP isn’t just reporting the news, it’s rewriting the playbook.