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Tag: Sahil Mangla

  • Big Fm turns up the volume with 9 new stations, now India’s No.1 network

    Big Fm turns up the volume with 9 new stations, now India’s No.1 network

    MUMBAI: Radio just got a little louder and a lot bigger. Big Fm, which has long been a household name for music and entertainment, has officially tuned itself into the country’s largest single-brand radio network with a whopping 67 stations. The milestone comes with the addition of nine new stations across Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, set to go live in the next 6–9 months.

    This expansion amplifies BIG’s dominance in the Hindi heartland, taking its tally to 34 stations across Northern and Central India, where it already enjoys market leadership and hyperlocal clout.

    Sapphire Media Limited chairman Sahil Mangla said the achievement is both a win and a weight: “Becoming India’s largest radio network is an achievement, but also a responsibility. With Big Live and Big Ooh already launched, we’re looking forward to shaping the future of audio entertainment with original content, tech and AI integration.”

    Echoing the sentiment, CEO Sunil Kumaran noted that Big’s philosophy of “Dhun Badal Ke Toh Dekho” continues to guide its growth. “With new stations, we’re not just expanding coverage but also building stronger teams, creating content that clicks with diverse communities, and opening fresh opportunities for advertisers,” he said.

    With radio listenership still strong across India’s metros and smaller towns, Big Fm’s expansion ensures it doesn’t just play the hits, it stays in tune with the cultural pulse of the nation.

  • Big FM names Sunil Kumaran chief executive post-Abe Thomas departure

    Big FM names Sunil Kumaran chief executive post-Abe Thomas departure

    MUMBAI: Big FM has handed the reins to Sunil Kumaran, elevating the long-time chief operating officer to chief executive after the exit of Abe Thomas, who has helmed the station since 2018. Kumaran, a 14-year veteran of the network and with over 25 years in media and communications, has been tasked with driving the Sapphire Media-owned broadcaster’s next phase of growth.

    Chairman Sahil Mangla hailed Thomas’s “visionary leadership” and called Kumaran the “ideal choice” to steer the brand forward. Kumaran said his mission was to reimagine radio as a “true multimedia force,” blending content, data and tech-led storytelling to create a “future-ready” brand that connects with audiences, shapes culture and delivers for partners.

    The appointment underscores Big FM’s ambition to stay ahead in India’s fast-evolving audio entertainment market.

  • Sapphire Media tunes into Big FM 92.7 with a Rs 261 crore takeover

    Sapphire Media tunes into Big FM 92.7 with a Rs 261 crore takeover

    MUMBAI: Sapphire Media Ltd has officially acquired the debt-ridden Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd (RBNL), which owns Big FM 92.7, following a successful bid of Rs 261 crore during the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP). With 58 stations and a reach across 1,200 towns and 50,000+ villages, Big FM is one of India’s largest radio networks.

    The acquisition comes after Sapphire Media, promoted by Kaithal-based entrepreneur Sahil Mangla and media professional-turned-entrepreneur Aditya Vashistha, received all necessary regulatory approvals, including a green light from the ministry of information & broadcasting. The company promptly cleared dues to the committee of creditors (CoC) as per the approved resolution plan.

    The saga reached its crescendo on  23 December  2024, when the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) dismissed petitions from rival bidders and upheld the National Company Law Tribunal’s (NCLT’s) 6 May 2024, decision in favour of Sapphire Media. Rivals like Radio Orange and others had contested the resolution, but Sapphire’s bid, which secured 88.97 per cent of CoC votes, emerged victorious.

    Big FM, known for its rich legacy and a massive listener base of 340 million, will now undergo a wave of innovation under Sapphire Media’s stewardship. The group, which already boasts a vast outdoor advertising network and recently launched the Hindi news channel India Daily 24×7, plans to inject fresh energy into the radio brand, blending its heritage with cutting-edge content creation.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Big FM into the Sapphire Media family. This acquisition aligns with our vision of becoming a leader in digital content creation and broadcasting,” the company stated.

    The CIRP against RBNL was flagged off on 24 February 2023, following a petition by IDBI Trusteeship Services, the financial creditor. Six resolution plans were submitted, but Sapphire’s bid struck the winning note.