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Tag: Bharat Express

  • Bharat Express brings back Varun Kohli as group chief executive

    Bharat Express brings back Varun Kohli as group chief executive

    NOIDA:  In the media industry, boomerang hires are increasingly common. But when a news channel rehires the executive who built it from scratch, it signals ambition rather than desperation.

    Bharat Express has brought back Varun Kohli as director and group chief executive, marking his return to an organisation he helped launch in January 2023.  Kohli, who spent just over a year at Bharat Express before joining Times Network as chief operating officer, is being tasked with expanding the channel’s reach and deepening its impact in India’s competitive news broadcasting market.

    During his first stint, Kohli shaped the channel’s editorial and business strategy, built its core team and established its operational framework. His move to Times Network in 2024 saw him oversee critical operations across a larger network. Now, armed with that broader experience, he returns to accelerate Bharat Express’s growth trajectory.

    “During his first innings, Varun played a foundational role in successfully launching the channel and positioning Bharat Express as a credible voice in Indian news media,” said Bharat Express chairman, managing director & editor in chief Upendrra Rai. “With his return, we are confident that his deep industry experience and visionary approach will help us accelerate our growth and take the channel to new heights.”

    Kohli brings three decades of media experience, having held leadership roles at ITV Network, Deccan Chronicle Holdings, Network18, Bennett Coleman & Co., HT Media and Amar Ujala Prakashan. He is known for launching and turning around media brands, with a reputation for driving revenue growth and building high-performance teams.

    The appointment positions Bharat Express for its next phase of expansion, with Kohli’s return bringing both institutional knowledge and fresh strategic insights gained from his time at one of India’s largest broadcasting networks.

  • Times change again as Varun Kohli exits, Gopakumar takes interim charge

    Times change again as Varun Kohli exits, Gopakumar takes interim charge

    MUMBAI: Another shuffle at Times Network has set the industry buzzing. Varun Kohli, who joined as chief operating officer barely a year ago, has suddenly stepped down from the role. In the interim, Rohit Gopakumar, currently CEO of entertainment and digital business at The Times Group, has been handed charge of the broadcast business.

    The development comes against the backdrop of CEO M.K. Anand’s exit in July 2024, when he quit after more than a decade at Bennett, Coleman & Co. (BCCL). Kohli was brought in just a month earlier, in June 2024, to oversee the network’s revenue function across its television broadcast business.

    Kohli, a seasoned media professional, moved to Times Network from Bharat Express, where he spent a year and a half as director and CEO. Before that, he briefly helmed Sporty Media Solutionz as CEO and held senior stints at ITV Network (group CEO), Network18, HT Media, and Amar Ujala Prakashan.

    Meanwhile, Gopakumar isn’t new to the media house. He joined the group in August 2023 as CEO of Worldwide Media and was later elevated to lead entertainment and digital. His expanded remit now includes steering Times Network’s broadcast operations during a tricky phase for the industry.

    With two top exits in just over a year, Times Network finds itself once again at a leadership crossroads and all eyes will now be on how Gopakumar steadies the ship.

  • Under the charismatic leadership of CMD and Editor-in-Chief, Upendrra Rai, Bharat Express Celebrates One Year of Informative Excellence

    Under the charismatic leadership of CMD and Editor-in-Chief, Upendrra Rai, Bharat Express Celebrates One Year of Informative Excellence

    Mumbai: Bharat Express, a dynamic Hindi news channel, proudly marks its one-year anniversary under the visionary leadership of Mr. Upendrra Rai, CMD and Editor-in-Chief of Bharat Express News Network. Over the past year, the channel has emerged as a trusted source of news, delivering insightful and comprehensive coverage to its viewers. The celebration unfolded at ICC, Lodhi Road, where eminent personalities from diverse spheres graced the gathering.

    Under Mr. Rai’s guidance, Bharat Express News with the motto of Satya, Sahas and Samarpan i.e. Truth, Courage and Dedication, has demonstrated a commitment to journalistic integrity, providing timely and accurate information across a spectrum of topics. The channel’s success is attributed to its relentless pursuit of excellence and dedication to delivering news that matters.

    Reflecting on the milestone, Upendrra Rai, CMD and Editor-in-Chief of Bharat Express News, expressed gratitude for the team’s hard work and the unwavering support of viewers. “Our journey over the past year has been remarkable, and we are immensely proud of the strides we’ve made in delivering quality news. We look forward to continuing our mission of informing, educating, and empowering our audience,” said Mr. Rai.

    Mr. Upendrra Rai stands as a pioneering journalist who, singularly driven by a commitment to integrity, established a media brand using his personal resources, dedicated to the noble cause of unbiased journalism.

    Bharat Express News has become a beacon of responsible journalism, covering a diverse range of subjects, from politics and business to social issues and culture. The channel’s innovative approach to storytelling has resonated with audiences across the nation, making it a go-to source for reliable information.
     

  • Upendrra Rai pays humble tribute to ‘Saharasri’ with special film unveiling unseen aspects

    Upendrra Rai pays humble tribute to ‘Saharasri’ with special film unveiling unseen aspects

    Mumbai: Sahara India Group founder Subrata Roy Sahara, bid farewell to the world at the age of 75 on November 14. As the news of Subrata Roy’s demise spread, a wave of mourning swept through the business world. Popularly known as ‘Saharasri,’ Sahara initiated his business journey from Gorakhpur, laying the foundation of ‘Sahara India Pariwar’, which later illuminated the lives of millions of families. In memory of Saharasri, a film based on his life will be aired on Bharat Express News channel on November 23 at 8 PM, followed by a humble tribute.

    Bharat Express chairman Upendrra Rai was closely associated with Saharasri. Upon hearing the news of Saharasri’s demise, Rai was deeply moved. While paying tribute to Saharasri, Rai expressed, “The untimely passing of Sahara Shri felt like a disruption to the natural rhythm of life. His was a multifaceted persona that drew both admirers and critics. The metamorphosis from Chandan to Subrata Roy, the evolution of Subrata Roy into Subrata Roy Sahara, and ultimately the emergence of Sahara Shri is a singular and emotionally poignant journey. I consider it my duty to unveil the real man behind the regal and glamorous image—a person untouched by the surrounding glitterati, leading a life of detachment akin to that of a hermit. Depth of Love and passion being his two greatest traits often misunderstood by some. I had the good fortune of conversing with Sahara Shri just 120 hours before his demise. It was surprising to witness how unfazed he was by the inevitability of death even at this stage. Rarely have I encountered anyone accepting this ultimate reality of life with such sangfroid. This movie, scheduled to be broadcast on Bharat Express, serves as a humble tribute from both myself and the Bharat Express News Network to the departed soul.”

    After laying the foundation of ‘Sahara India Pariwar’, Roy elevated it to great heights. Through Sahara India, the company reached every household in the country, and Saharasri’s influence extended beyond the borders of the nation, even reaching London. The stature of ‘Saharasri’ was such that many dignitaries from politics to Bollywood and the sports world frequented his presence. Many of them shared a good friendship with him. At one time, a job in Sahara Group was seen as akin to a government job. People dreamed of being associated with this company.

    Now Saharasri is no more, but as long as he was in this world, he always remained close to his admirers. From Bihar to Bengal, Gorakhpur to Lucknow, and London—Saharasri’s journey continued incessantly, establishing new milestones. He received numerous awards and honors for his unparalleled achievements as Saharasri.