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Tag: Network18

  • Network18 widens lead over Times Internet with digital and TV dominance

    Network18 widens lead over Times Internet with digital and TV dominance

    MUMBAI: If news were a contact sport, Network18 just scored a digital hat-trick while keeping its closest rival, Times Internet, firmly on the defensive. Network18 has cemented its status as India’s undisputed news juggernaut, clocking a towering 300.35 million unique visitors (UVs) in May 2025, according to the latest ComScore MMX data. With a 67 per cent digital reach, it outpaced Times Internet Limited by over 82 million UVs, with the latter trailing at 217.83 million UVs (48 per cent reach).

    The digital scoreboard shows a clear trend: Network18 has led for three straight months, with UVs peaking at 321 million in April and 315 million in March, compared to Times Internet’s 196 million and 203 million in the same periods.

    It’s not just the network flexing its muscles News18.com, the flagship digital brand, has been leaving The Times of India in the dust. With 245 million UVs in May, News18 maintained a consistent lead over TOI’s 200 million UVs. And the margin’s been widening: April saw News18 at 283 million UVs to TOI’s 173 million, while March posted 251 million vs 182 million, respectively.

    But the domination doesn’t stop at pixels. On television, CNN-News18 has held the No. 1 position in English news for over three consecutive years, a feat unmatched in the industry. In the Hindi news universe, News18 India remains the most-watched across the country. Add to that Network18’s reach across regional languages, and the brand’s influence begins to look not just dominant but pan-Indian.

    While digital players grapple with fractured attention spans and changing algorithms, Network18 seems to have found the secret sauce reach, consistency, and trust across screens, languages, and formats.

    In a media ecosystem obsessed with virality, Network18’s steady, multiplatform march to the top is less flash, more firepower. And in the battle for eyeballs, it’s clear who’s setting the pace and who’s still trying to catch up.

  • Newsroom shake-up as Anil Uniyal exits NDTV after two eventful years

    Newsroom shake-up as Anil Uniyal exits NDTV after two eventful years

    MUMBAI: After steering the ship through a crucial phase, Anil Uniyal has stepped down as chief operating Officer of NDTV, wrapping up a two-year tenure that saw him deeply involved in shaping the channel’s post-acquisition identity and relaunching NDTV Profit. Uniyal’s resignation, as reported by multiple media outlets, closes another chapter in a career that’s been synonymous with leadership in Indian business newsrooms from Network18 to Quint and now NDTV. His departure adds another twist to NDTV’s evolving story under the Adani Media Group umbrella.

    During his stint at NDTV, Uniyal was known to have worked closely with Sanjay Pugalia and played a key role in stabilising the broadcaster’s business operations. He also had a hand in reviving NDTV Profit, the business news channel that absorbed operations from the now-defunct BloombergQuint.

    Speaking to Indian Television Dot Com Uniyal said he is yet to decide his next move on the professional front.

    Before joining NDTV in 2022, Uniyal served as CEO at Bloombergquint, where he helped position the venture as a significant digital destination for financial and business news. That journey began in 2016, after Bloomberg’s tie-up with Quintillion Media, and culminated in the platform’s eventual acquisition and integration into the NDTV family.

    His earlier stint at Network18 between 2011 and 2016 was equally prolific, where he held leadership roles across CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz, CNBC Bajar, and Forbes India. As COO, he was instrumental in driving the group’s business news portfolio forward.

    While Uniyal’s next move remains under wraps, industry watchers are keenly eyeing where he lands next. One thing is certain: wherever he goes, he’s sure to bring newsroom know-how and sharp operational chops with him.
     

  • Ervan Preet Bagga takes charge as national sales head at Goldmines Telefilms

    Ervan Preet Bagga takes charge as national sales head at Goldmines Telefilms

    MUMBAI:  Media sales maven Ervan Preet Bagga has stepped into the role of national sales head at Goldmines Telefilms – India, marking a dynamic return to the broadcaster where she earlier led the charge as regional sales head for the North.

    With over 15 years of experience in revenue strategy, relationship management, digital marketing, and sales leadership, Bagga has carved a niche as one of India’s most agile P&L experts. Her last role as director – SMB sports at Viacom18 saw her scale monetisation across key sports properties, blending strategic partnerships with sharp execution.

    Bagga’s previous roles at ByteDance, IN10 Media, iTV Network, Zee Entertainment, and Network18 add depth to her multi-platform expertise—across entertainment, sports, and digital-first media. She is known for her people-centric leadership style, keen market instincts, and a robust track record of unlocking new business.

    Back at Goldmines, Bagga’s focus will be on driving national revenues, crafting integrated brand solutions, and future-proofing the sales playbook as the company scales its content ambitions.

  • Azim Lalani co-founds Bullet, hopes to fire up the two-minute microdrama revolution

    Azim Lalani co-founds Bullet, hopes to fire up the two-minute microdrama revolution

    MUMBAI — Azim Lalani, the digital maverick who’s seen it all from India Today to Fanory, (a career of more than a score years) has now strapped on a new role — co-founder and chief business officer at Bullet, a mobile-first microdrama OTT platform that promises to shoot cinematic stories straight to your phone in under two minutes.

    With a sharp eye on Gen Z and a regional-first, multilingual content play, Bullet isn’t just banking on binge culture — it’s reinventing it. Backed by tokenomics and built on blockchain, the platform wants to do more than stream — it aims to spark a creator economy explosion.

    “As CBO, I’ll be driving business strategy, growth partnerships, content, and monetisation,” Lalani said. “We’re not just building a platform — we’re architecting a storytelling ecosystem that’s sustainable, scalable and rooted in innovation.”

    He gave a shoutout to co-founder and CTPO Saurabh Kushwah for leading the tech charge, and thanked the leadership at Zee Entertainment Enterprises for supporting new-age innovation.

    Lalani’s previous innings include launching Fanory to help creators go direct-to-fan with coin-based monetisation, leading Money9 at TV9, and steering convergence and brand solutions at Network18. Prior to that he did time at India Today, Rediff and Indian Express. 

    Now with Bullet, he’s loading the chamber with big ambitions — where every story is sharp, short, and shot with purpose. Creators, got a drama to drop? The stage is yours — but make it snappy.

  • Market makes the match as Nuvama partners with Network18 for 360 buzz

    Market makes the match as Nuvama partners with Network18 for 360 buzz

    MUMBAI: When it comes to the market, timing is everything and Nuvama has picked its slot wisely. In a strategic play to bolster its brand presence across India’s financial news ecosystem, wealth management major Nuvama Group has inked a year-long partnership with Network18, beginning 2 June 2025. The tie-up places Nuvama right at the beating heart of stock market discourse, the Market Hours segment across the CNBC Universe.

    Billed as the most-watched business news programming in the country, Market Hours will now see Nuvama integrated via contextual co-branded promotions, smart non-FCT elements, and in-program visual branding that go beyond the classic ad break approach. The integration will play out across television, digital, and Connected TV, ensuring a full-spectrum 360-degree brand presence.

    Nuvama will also be the presenting sponsor of CNBC-TV18’s India Business Hour, airing Monday to Friday at 8 PM, a prime-time perch to cement its presence in India’s financial storytelling. But the real kicker is a first-of-its-kind daily post-market wrap, served with expert insight and fresh analysis on market movements, economic indicators, and sectoral shifts a content initiative that adds serious thought leadership to the brand’s positioning.

    Network18 CEO, business news, Smriti Mehra said, “We are delighted to welcome Nuvama as a valued partner. This partnership is rooted in a shared vision for long-term collaboration, and we look forward to working together in the years ahead.”

    Nuvama Group CMO Sujay Rachh added, “We are pleased to announce Nuvama’s first-ever partnership with Network18, a strategic move that brings together two trusted brands with a shared commitment to empowering investors. In a world where information is abundant, but clarity is rare, this association is designed to deliver credible, actionable insights. We see strong momentum ahead as this partnership brings together trust, scale and thought leadership.”

    For a sector as dynamic as wealth management, timing a brand push to the right platform and moment can be everything. With this partnership, Nuvama isn’t just riding the ticker, it’s making its own headlines.

  • Pranav Bakshi gets promoted to pilot Network18’s Connected growth engine

    Pranav Bakshi gets promoted to pilot Network18’s Connected growth engine

    MUMBAI: Network18’s digital dynamo Pranav Bakshi has just bagged a bold new title — chief growth officer, Network18 Connected — as he takes charge of accelerating content, audience, and revenue across connected TV, social platforms, and strategic partnerships.

    But this isn’t just a new nameplate on the desk. With his finger on the pulse of where audiences are headed (and not where they’ve lingered), Bakshi is gearing up to rewire how content is created, consumed and commercialised across the media conglomerate’s vast portfolio.

    “This role is about leading the charge, not catching up,” said Bakshi. “It’s about scaling platforms, monetising content smartly, and building future-proof digital ecosystems.”

    Having previously helmed digital video strategy for over 45 Network18 brands — from CNN-News18 and CNBC-TV18 to Firstpost, Moneycontrol and History TV18 — Bakshi’s remit covered everything from CTV to creators, from off-platform growth to platform partnerships.

    Before his Network18 innings, Bakshi brought the firepower at Times network, heading digital video, strategy, partnerships, and social media for a bouquet of brands with a collective follower base of 60 million. He’s also worn hats at NDTV, TOI, Taj Hotels and even Maersk, with a track record of marrying content with commerce and strategy with scale.

    With his elevation, expect Bakshi to keep the content taps flowing — but this time, through smarter pipes, faster funnels, and next-gen platforms. The build, as he says, continues.

  • Pranav Bakshi takes charge as chief growth officer for Network18 Connected

    Pranav Bakshi takes charge as chief growth officer for Network18 Connected

    MUMBAI: Network18’s next big digital leap has a new commander. Pranav Bakshi, the veteran media strategist, has been elevated to chief growth officer at Network18 Connected, the digital-forward vertical of Network18 Media & Investments Limited. The announcement was made public via LinkedIn on 20 May 2025.

    This isn’t just a title change — it’s a pivot that reflects Network18’s ambitions to expand aggressively across connected TV, social platforms, digital distribution, and new-age partnerships. Bakshi, with a career spanning over two decades, will now be steering growth, product, revenue, and content innovation across a portfolio that includes CNN-News18, CNBC-TV18, News18 India, Moneycontrol, Firstpost, History TV18, and more.

    “I’m excited to step into the role of chief growth officer – Network18 Connected. This isn’t just a title change — it’s an opportunity to lead the growth and transformation of content and content consumption across platforms that are shaping how audiences engage today: Connected TV, social ecosystems, and strategic digital partnerships”, Bakshi said. “The vision is clear: create impact where audiences are headed, not where they’ve been”.

    Bakshi previously led Network18’s digital video strategy and partnerships division. From spearheading digital video transformation across 45+ brands to building early off-platform momentum, he has been instrumental in crafting the network’s modern media engine. His earlier stints include leadership roles at Times Network and NDTV, where he handled P&L, content innovation, and revenue transformation.

    A recipient of the Chairman’s Excellence Award at Times Network, Bakshi has consistently worked at the intersection of content, business and emerging tech. At Network18, his new mandate includes expanding presence in international markets, growing CTV viewership, and driving monetisation across social and connected ecosystems.

  • Network18 logs out the competition with digital dominance drive

    Network18 logs out the competition with digital dominance drive

    MUMBAI: Clicks, clout, and Comscore cred Network18 is spelling it all out in black and white. The media group has taken its digital victory lap to print with a bold ad campaign in The Indian Express and Business Standard, calling time on Times Internet’s top spot.

    Armed with March 2025 data from Comscore, the ads proclaim a sweeping lead: Network18 clocked 315 million unique digital visitors 55 per cent more than Times Internet’s 202 million. And on social media, the gap turns into a chasm, with 212 million unique users tuning in to Network18 content nearly six times more than Times Internet’s 34 million.

    The bragfest doesn’t stop there. News18.com, the group’s flagship news platform, also takes centre stage, claiming 251 million unique visitors 38 per cent more than The Times of India, which drew 182 million. That’s a lot of extra eyeballs for what’s often seen as the underdog in the English news race.

    Meanwhile, in the world of bulls, bears, and breaking business scoops, Moneycontrol has emerged as the Street’s top tip. With 39.33 million unique visitors across desktop and mobile, it’s outpacing The Economic Times (34.14 million) by 15 per cent. The message? If you’re looking for your next market move, Moneycontrol might already be a few steps ahead.

    With the campaign splashed across major dailies, Network18 seems to be saying: the scoreboard’s up, and the numbers don’t lie.

  • Network18’s financial performance reflects mixed trends amidst restructuring

    Network18’s financial performance reflects mixed trends amidst restructuring

    MUMBAI: Network18’s financial results for the year ended 31 March 2025 present a complex picture, marked by operational challenges and the impact of strategic restructuring activities. The company has reported a net loss, but this is juxtaposed with substantial gains from exceptional items.

    Revenue from operations shows a slight decrease, indicating some pressure on the company’s core business activities.
    * Revenue from operations increased  to Rs 1,896.21 crore from Rs 1,817.73 crore in the previous year. 
    * The primary component, value of sales and services, was Rs 2,206.87 crore, compared to Rs  2,114.86 crore in the previous year.
    * Other income contributed a smaller amount, Rs 16.75 crore, down from Rs 18.70 crore. 

    Expenses increased, impacting profitability.
    * Total expenses rose to Rs   2,197.81 crore from Rs 2,086.95 crore. 
    * Key expense categories include: 
    o Operational costs: Rs 402.66 crore (previous year: Rs 381.35 crore) 
    o Marketing, distribution, and promotional expense: 478.24 crore (previous year: Rs 428.12 crore) 
    o Employee Benefits Expense: Rs 729.99 crore (previous year: Rs 702.68 crore) 
    o Finance costs:  Rs 213.42 crore (previous year: Rs 186.20 crore) 
    o Depreciation and amortisation expense: Rs 121.66 crore (previous year: Rs 101.02 crore) 
    o Other expenses: Rs  251.84 crore  (previous year: Rs  287.58 crore) 

    The company’s profitability was affected, but exceptional items provided a substantial offset.
    * Profit/ (Loss) before exceptional items and tax was a loss of Rs (284.85) crore, compared to a loss of Rs (250.52) crore in the previous year. 
    * However, the company recorded exceptional items of Rs 3,498.21 crore. 
    * This resulted in a profit/ (loss) before tax of Rs 3,213.36 crore, compared to Rs (250.52) crore in the previous year. 
    * After accounting for tax, the profit/ (loss) for the Period/Year was Rs 3,213.36 crore, compared to a loss of Rs 185.41 crore in the previous year. 

    The composite scheme of arrangement involving Viacom18, Digital18, and Star India has significantly reshaped the company’s structure.  The sale of shares in Indiacast Media Distribution Private Limited and changes in the shareholding of Viacom18 contributed to the exceptional items. 

    Network18’s financial performance reflects a period of transition.

    (updated 19 April at 11:40 am) 

    The company issued a press release on 19 April which reads as follows: 

    MUMBAI: Network18 Media & Investments Ltd’s standalone operating revenue for the news business rose 4.3 percent to Rs 1,896 crore in the year ended March 31, while operating EBITDA nearly doubled to Rs 33 crore, led by tight cost control, stronger ad pricing and viewership gains.

    Growth in operating EBITDA was aided by its expanding viewership and gains in advertising pricing. The network continued to lead in Hindi, English, and Business News segments, while also rising to leadership in Marathi and Bengali markets.

    In the fiscal fourth quarter, the company reported an operating EBITDA of Rs 13 crore for its standalone news business, showing resilience amid a subdued advertising environment and a high base from election-driven revenues a year ago. EBITDA margin widened to 2.6 percent in the fourth quarter from 2.2 percent in the preceding three months. Standalone operating revenue rose 9.5 percent quarter-on-quarter to Rs 522 crore. Operating expenses rose 3 percent to Rs 508 crore from a year earlier.

    Q4 Standalone loss narrows

    The company posted a standalone loss of Rs 69 crore for Q4 FY25. That compares with the Rs 31 crore loss in the year-ago period. Total standalone income stood at Rs 524 crore, up from Rs 484 crore in Q3 but lower than Rs 537 crore in Q4 FY24. The quarter saw muted advertising spends across the TV news industry, with inventory consumption falling 15 percent YoY, although the company maintained traction in digital ad revenues.

    Network18 ended the year as India’s top TV news network with a 14.1 percent all-India market share and a weekly reach of over 180 million viewers. Viewership share rose 330 basis points year-on-year, driven by strong gains in regional markets. News18 Lokmat and News18 Bangla climbed to the number 1 position in their respective states, while News18 Kannada emerged as a strong number 2, more than doubling its market share. Moneycontrol, continued to strengthen its position. Moneycontrol Pro remained India’s largest subscription-based financial platform, crossing over 1 million paid subscribers and ranking among the top 15 globally.

    The company also retained leadership in key national genres with News18 India as the top Hindi news channel, CNBC-TV18 leading the business news space, and CNN-News18 topping English news.

    The company’s consolidated financials reflected the impact of its restructuring deal involving Viacom18, Digital18, and Star India. Network18 recorded an exceptional loss of Rs 1,436 crore on the consolidated books due to the derecognition of Viacom18 as a subsidiary and sale of Indiacast. This led to a consolidated net loss of Rs 1,777 crore for FY25 despite strong operating performance in the core news segment.

    Chairman Adil Zainulbhai said: “We are really happy to end the fiscal on a strong note as the largest news network in the country on all fronts—viewership share, audience reach and language footprint. Despite short-term macro headwinds, we are confident in the company’s long-term growth trajectory.”

  • Nalin Mehta appointed chief AI officer at Network18

    Nalin Mehta appointed chief AI officer at Network18

    MUMBAI: Network18 has appointed Nalin Mehta as its chief AI officer (editorial operations), adding another milestone to his expansive career across journalism, academia, and public policy. Mehta, who also serves as managing editor at moneycontrol, will now lead the integration of artificial intelligence in editorial workflows across the group.

    With over two decades in Indian media, Mehta has held senior editorial positions at some of the country’s top news organisations. He was executive editor of The Times of India’s digital operations and managing editor at India Today TV. He has also served as group consulting editor at Network18.

    Outside the newsroom, Mehta has held academic roles including dean and professor at the School of Modern Media, UPES, and associate professor at Shiv Nadar University. He is currently a non-resident senior fellow at the Institute of south Asian studies (National University of Singapore), and a member of the economic advisory council to the prime minister.

    His work has spanned media strategy, digital innovation, public policy, and research—making this move into AI-driven editorial systems a logical progression. As AI reshapes newsrooms globally, Mehta’s role positions him at the intersection of journalism and technology in one of India’s largest media networks.