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Tag: NDTV Media

  • NDTV accelerates growth spending as revenue climbs in transformation push

    NDTV accelerates growth spending as revenue climbs in transformation push

    NEW DELHI: NDTV is pressing the accelerator on its transformation strategy, ramping up investment in marketing and expansion even as revenue growth gains momentum. The Adani-controlled broadcaster posted a 12 per cent increase in half-year revenue to Rs 230 crore whilst completing a Rs 396 crore oversubscribed rights issue and merging four subsidiaries to streamline operations.

    Revenue from operations rose 10 per cent year-on-year to Rs 123 crore in the September quarter on a consolidated basis, reflecting improving traction as the company positions itself for a new era. For the six months ended September, the top line climbed to Rs 230 crore from Rs 205 crore, signalling steady progress in a fiercely competitive media landscape.

    The numbers reveal a company making bold strategic bets. Marketing, distribution and promotional expenses surged 33 per cent to Rs 115 crore for the half-year—a clear signal that management is prioritising audience acquisition and brand visibility over short-term profitability. The September quarter alone saw Rs 58 crore deployed towards growth initiatives, up 29 per cent year-on-year.

    “This is classic growth investing,” said one analyst who tracks the media sector. “NDTV is leveraging its capital raise to build market share and strengthen its competitive position whilst the fundamentals improve.”

    The rights issue, completed on 9 October, was oversubscribed 1.11 times, with proceeds specifically earmarked for expansion, brand-building, debt reduction and corporate purposes. The successful raise increased paid-up capital from Rs 26 crore to Rs 45 crore, providing ammunition for the company’s ambitious reinvention plans.

    NDTV also executed a major structural overhaul, merging NDTV Networks, NDTV Worldwide, NDTV Media and NDTV Labs into the parent company with effect from 1 October. The consolidation, sanctioned by the regional director of the ministry of corporate affairs, is designed to eliminate operational silos and create a more agile organisation. Authorised share capital now stands at Rs 237 crore.

    The broadcaster is simultaneously pursuing inorganic growth. NDTV has entered a binding term sheet to acquire the GoodTimes channel and associated intellectual property from Lifestyle & Media Broadcasting, pending regulatory approval from the ministry of information and broadcasting. The deal would expand the company’s content portfolio and distribution footprint.

    Management changes underscore the focus on operational excellence. Akhil Kumar Gupta, a chartered accountant with 19 years’ experience spanning media, infrastructure, healthcare and entertainment, will assume the chief financial officer role from 1 December. Gupta, who previously held senior positions at Adani Enterprises, Zydus Lifesciences and Bharti Airtel, brings deep expertise in financial transformation, digital systems and strategic decision-making. He replaces Anup Dutta, who reaches superannuation.

    The board also re-appointed independent director Viral Jagdish Doshi for a second three-year term beginning January 2026, ensuring continuity in governance as the company navigates its transition.

    NDTV’s investment phase reflects a calculated gamble: sacrifice near-term margins to capture long-term market share in India’s rapidly evolving media ecosystem. With a freshly capitalised balance sheet, a streamlined corporate structure, and aggressive growth spending, the broadcaster is positioning itself as a serious player in the battle for eyeballs and advertising rupees.

    Whether the strategy succeeds depends on execution—and whether revenue growth can eventually outpace the current marketing blitz. But for now, NDTV is signalling it has both the resources and the resolve to compete. The transformation is underway, and the company isn’t holding back.

  • Lovnish Bhatia joins Worldwide Media as vice president – digital product

    Lovnish Bhatia joins Worldwide Media as vice president – digital product

    MUMBAI: Worldwide Media, a subsidiary of the Times Group, has named Lovnish Bhatia as vice president – digital product. Based in Mumbai, he will spearhead the publisher’s digital strategy, mobile platforms and product innovation.

    Bhatia brings more than 20 years of experience across digital media, operations and business development. He was most recently head of operations at Wify Technologies, after a brief stint as a new business development consultant.

    Earlier, he served as chief operating officer at Timesaverz, led services at Hettich India, and drove business development for video advertising firm Vdopia, where he was instrumental in securing the ICC World Cup 2011 digital sales mandate for Star India.

    His media career began at Sony Entertainment Television in 2000, followed by digital sales leadership roles at NDTV Media and Viacom18, where he introduced digital syndication and online-only monetisation models.

    With a career spanning technology, advertising, consumer services and media, Bhatia is expected to play a key role in accelerating Worldwide Media’s digital transformation.

  • Mallika Nath Handa inks a new chapter with Network18 leadership move

    Mallika Nath Handa inks a new chapter with Network18 leadership move

    MUMBAI: When it comes to building big brand bridges, Mallika Nath Handa knows the blueprint. The seasoned media and partnerships leader has joined Network18 Media & Investments Limited in August 2025 to helm Building Strategic Relationships, marking yet another power move in a two-decade career spanning India’s biggest media and digital houses.

    Handa’s career arc is as eclectic as it is impressive. She most recently spent 1 year and 9 months at Zomato, where she headed partnerships and played a pivotal role in shaping the food-tech major’s brand-building efforts. Before that, she spent a mammoth 11 years and 8 months at Times Internet, rising to the position of head of revenue and branded content for Indiatimes Lifestyle Network.

    Her early innings saw her hold senior sales roles at AIDEM Ventures (1 year 11 months), NDTV Media (4 years 3 months), and Star TV (2 years 5 months). Across these stints, she sharpened her expertise in revenue growth, branded content, digital innovation, and strategic partnerships, working at the intersection of media, technology, and brand storytelling.

    An alumna of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (2000–2004) with a degree in Fashion Design and Information Technology, Handa’s journey reflects a blend of creativity and commercial acumen, a combination that’s particularly suited to navigating Network18’s expansive media ecosystem.

    The move comes as Network18 continues to deepen its relationships with advertisers, creators, and platforms in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. With her proven track record in forging partnerships and scaling businesses, Handa’s entry signals the company’s intent to fortify its strategic growth playbook.

    From fashion design to food-tech to forging the future of one of India’s largest media networks, Handa’s career trajectory proves she has always been in the business of connections and at Network18, she now gets to take that literally.

  • Sugosh Iyer plugs into Mindshare to power Unilever’s digital future

    Sugosh Iyer plugs into Mindshare to power Unilever’s digital future

    MUMBAI:  Sugosh Iyer has hit the refresh button, stepping into the hotseat as head of digital trading at Mindshare earlier this year, leading the charge on all things digital for FMCG titan Unilever.

    In his new role, Iyer will pilot negotiations, data and tech partnerships, first-party data strategies, and turbocharge commerce conversations — stitching together the future of media buying across connected ecosystems.

    It’s been quite the pivot-packed journey. Iyer’s career, spanning over 17 years, has crisscrossed industries and continents: from banking at Kotak to media stints at NDTV Media, Starcom, Spatial Access, Flipkart, and senior leadership gigs across Madison, GroupM, and Kansai Nerolac Paints. Most recently, he helmed digital marketing for Grasim Industries (Pulp & Fibre), blending traditional business sense with e-commerce agility.

    Known for his customer acquisition chops, B2B savvy, and an eye for e-commerce acceleration, Iyer has consistently stayed ahead of the curve, whether in the bustling media hubs of Mumbai or navigating client leadership roles in Kuala Lumpur.

    With digital trading now the frontline of advertising wars, Mindshare seems to have found the perfect battering ram — a blend of finance brains, media muscle, and tech-first thinking — to storm the gates of tomorrow’s marketing battlefield.

  • News18.com Brings Ashish Naik OnBoard As The National Sales Head

    News18.com Brings Ashish Naik OnBoard As The National Sales Head

    National, 23 April, 2018: News18.com, India’s leading digital news platform, expands its top management with the addition of Ashish Naik as National Sales Head. He comes with over 17 years of experience in media sales and has formerly worked with organizations such as Tata Infomedia, BCCL, Business Standard and NDTV Media Ltd. Prior to joining News18.com, Ashish has been a part of Times Internet Ltd, where he served in the capacity of Regional Manager West, and was eventually promoted to National Sales Head. 

    A Science graduate from Mumbai University, he has done his post graduation in Marketing Management from MET Mumbai. In his current role at News18.com, Ashish aims to bring onboard a maximum number of advertising partners and consolidate the network’s position as a leader in the space. 

    News18.com has recorded 50 million monthly users, which is an (outstanding) increase of 249% in comparison to last year. The growth numbers recorded by the platform stand testimony to the network’s lazer-sharp focus on delivering extensive and quality political news coverage supplemented by new-age technology and consistent updates to the platform. In only two years, the platform has also touched another milestone – that of 30 million monthly users on mobile, a significant 170% increase in comparison to last year. The platform also (transcended/surpassed) its own high benchmark, with the Budget Day witnessing a record total of 5.2 million users, in a single day, on the platform.            

    Speaking about the platform’s growth and expansion, Rajiv Singh, Business Head News18.com and CricketNext said, “Last year has been great for News18.com with the platform touching new milestones and setting higher benchmarks in terms of audience engagement and reach. Now, after Gujarat and HP elections we are looking forward to Karnataka elections. And now, with Ashish as the new addition to the team, we are looking at taking things a step ahead and bringing in more and more engaging and captivating formats for our consumers.”

    Commenting on the occasion Ashish Naik – News18.com’s National Sales Head said, “I am certainly excited to begin a new chapter in my career with News18.com. With the digital boom still in its nascent stages in the country, it is certainly a great time to be a part of the sector. In my new role at the company, I intend to promote innovative 360 degree properties, which tend to result in higher audience reach and engagement. At the same time, I also intend to adopt a more consultative approach in grasping the requirements and needs of the clients, since a property is a complete success when it appeals to all the stakeholder involved including the consumers.”

    About NEWS18.com

    NEWS18.com (formerly known as ibnlive.com) is the digital destination of CNN News18 (formerly known as CNN IBN) with hard news as its core offering and interactivity as its key component. Along with a bevy of mobile- and multimedia-enabled content, News18.com is a multi-platform offering that, for the first time, provides viewers/users an opportunity to contribute to the news process and interact with editors and reporters. Manned 24×7, NEWS18.com is powered not just by NEWS18 journalists but also by Network18’s team of over 1,000 news professionals. NEWS18.com is also recognized for its one-of-the-kind offerings such as CricketNext, Compare India, and Indiwo amongst others.

    About Network18 Digital
     
    Network18 Digital (N18D) is the digital arm of Network18, one of India’s most diversified media conglomerates with interests in television, Internet, films, e-commerce, magazines, mobile content and allied businesses. N18D is among the largest multi-platform destinations for objective breaking news, opinions, financial data and infotainment for the evolved digital news consumer. Network18 Digital houses assets such as moneycontrol.com, firstpost.com, news18.com etc., and is constantly seeding new ideas to be the dominant force in the digital space. It caters to all sections of society, especially to the digital savvy consumer, the millennials and Generation Z users who access and consume content on the go. 

  • AIDEM co-founder Vikas Khanchandani joins RBNL

    AIDEM co-founder Vikas Khanchandani joins RBNL

    MUMBAI: Reliance Broadcast Network Limited (RBNL) has appointed Vikas Khanchandani as chief business officer.

    With over 20 years of experience working across digital, television, ad and media technology, Khanchandani will be responsible for driving strategic business initiatives – new technologies and customer engagement. He will be reporting to RBNL COO Ashwin Padmanabhan.

    On the development, Padmanabhan said, “We are happy to have Vikas on board who comes with a wealth of experience and domain expertise. With his extensive knowledge across the television and digital medium, we are confident that he will be able to further accelerate the growth story of the group.”

    Prior joining to RBNL, Khanchandani was the co-founder of AIDEM Ventures where he played the dual role of managing existing businesses of AIDEM even while he was aggressively driving the growth agenda of building a unique and valuable media sales and services company.

    He was also the part of the core leadership team which set up NDTV Media. Under his leadership, the channel witnessed phenomenal growth, creating a benchmark within the news genre and leading the category. He started his media career with Star India as a key member of the strategic planning and management team which worked on sales strategies for the Network’s channels.

  • AIDEM co-founder Vikas Khanchandani joins RBNL

    AIDEM co-founder Vikas Khanchandani joins RBNL

    MUMBAI: Reliance Broadcast Network Limited (RBNL) has appointed Vikas Khanchandani as chief business officer.

    With over 20 years of experience working across digital, television, ad and media technology, Khanchandani will be responsible for driving strategic business initiatives – new technologies and customer engagement. He will be reporting to RBNL COO Ashwin Padmanabhan.

    On the development, Padmanabhan said, “We are happy to have Vikas on board who comes with a wealth of experience and domain expertise. With his extensive knowledge across the television and digital medium, we are confident that he will be able to further accelerate the growth story of the group.”

    Prior joining to RBNL, Khanchandani was the co-founder of AIDEM Ventures where he played the dual role of managing existing businesses of AIDEM even while he was aggressively driving the growth agenda of building a unique and valuable media sales and services company.

    He was also the part of the core leadership team which set up NDTV Media. Under his leadership, the channel witnessed phenomenal growth, creating a benchmark within the news genre and leading the category. He started his media career with Star India as a key member of the strategic planning and management team which worked on sales strategies for the Network’s channels.

  • Tauquir Zaidi appointed as SVP on Chrome Data Analytics & Media

    Tauquir Zaidi appointed as SVP on Chrome Data Analytics & Media

    MUMBAI: Tauquir Zaidi has been appointed senior vice president-revenue in the Pankaj Krishna led Chrome Data Analytics & Media.

    An industry veteran with over 17 years in the broadcast industry, Zaidi has had an integral role in organizations such as STAR, NDTV Media, Times Television and Doordarshan.

    After expanding the market base for Star India, Zaidi joined NDTV Media as AVP, Ad Sales, and went on to head the team for NDTV 24×7 and NDTV India. :Later, Zaidi spearheaded Ad Sales in the North and West Markets as the Regional Head at Times Television.

    Zaidi will focus on growth and expansion of the organization by driving several new initiatives. He will be reporting directly to Pankaj Krishna.

    Commenting on his appointment, Krishna said, “Tauquir comes to us with over 17 years of experience in the media industry, and he will be an important figure in our journey to become the most respected media audit and intelligence company. We are happy and excited about having him on board.”

    Zaidi added, “Working with Pankaj is an opportunity I could not have passed on, having followed his career over the years. Chrome DM is at an exciting juncture, poised to take the leap to the next level with a well laid out diversification plan.  As they grow their stable of products, leveraging their already established market standing, I look forward to the challenge of driving revenue growth and the excitement of working with a young, talented team.”

     

  • Tauquir Zaidi appointed as SVP on Chrome Data Analytics & Media

    Tauquir Zaidi appointed as SVP on Chrome Data Analytics & Media

    MUMBAI: Tauquir Zaidi has been appointed senior vice president-revenue in the Pankaj Krishna led Chrome Data Analytics & Media.

    An industry veteran with over 17 years in the broadcast industry, Zaidi has had an integral role in organizations such as STAR, NDTV Media, Times Television and Doordarshan.

    After expanding the market base for Star India, Zaidi joined NDTV Media as AVP, Ad Sales, and went on to head the team for NDTV 24×7 and NDTV India. :Later, Zaidi spearheaded Ad Sales in the North and West Markets as the Regional Head at Times Television.

    Zaidi will focus on growth and expansion of the organization by driving several new initiatives. He will be reporting directly to Pankaj Krishna.

    Commenting on his appointment, Krishna said, “Tauquir comes to us with over 17 years of experience in the media industry, and he will be an important figure in our journey to become the most respected media audit and intelligence company. We are happy and excited about having him on board.”

    Zaidi added, “Working with Pankaj is an opportunity I could not have passed on, having followed his career over the years. Chrome DM is at an exciting juncture, poised to take the leap to the next level with a well laid out diversification plan.  As they grow their stable of products, leveraging their already established market standing, I look forward to the challenge of driving revenue growth and the excitement of working with a young, talented team.”

     

  • iTV Network ups Vikas Khanna as national sales head of India News

    iTV Network ups Vikas Khanna as national sales head of India News

    MUMBAI: iTV Network has elevated Vikas Khanna to the post of national sales head of India News.

    Khanna was initially the senior vice president at India News. He will be responsible for driving the all India ad sales revenue of India News national and will continue to report to India News CEO Varun Kohli.

    Commenting on the elevation, iTV Network MD Kartikeya Sharma said, “We are delighted to elevate Vikas as the national sales head of India News. This elevation is in line with our commitment to growth. His skills and wide experience will surely help India News reach the next level of growth.”

    Kohli added, “Vikas has played an important role in India News sales and with his elevation as national sales head, India News, he will take on a wider role. His strong track record of delivering growth and his understanding of the industry will help us move forward on our path of continued success.”

    “I am delighted and honoured to have been given the responsibility of driving the ad sales revenue of India News National. In this fiercely competitive market, I shall strive to further strengthen the various revenue streams of India News and achieve a robust growth in the coming year,” Khanna said.

    Khanna previously worked with Network18 where he was responsible for the advertising sales of IBN 7 North region. He served India Today Group for six years and then moved to Times of India and thereafter to NDTV Media wherein he handled brands such as NDTV India, NDTV 24×7 and NDTV Profit.