Leading TV News CEOs Poised to Make an Impact in 2025

As Indian media enters a transformative phase in 2025, visionary CEOs are reshaping the news broadcasting industry. These trailblazers are driving the country’s leading networks with innovative approaches, bold digital strategies, and new journalistic standards. From revitalizing traditional platforms to pioneering modern content strategies, their leadership is setting new benchmarks in one of the fastest-evolving media landscapes globally.

Sumanta Datta, CEO, ABP Network

ABP Network announced its new CEO – Sumanta Datta in November 2024, five months after the exit of Avinash Pandey. Under his leadership, ABP Network will lead innovation and ride the tide of India's ever-changing media landscape by harnessing his significant experience in diversified sectors to take the group forward. Datta comes with more than 30 years of leadership experience in handling commercial operations, marketing, and distribution in diverse industries, such as consumer goods, durables, and education.

Sanjay Pugalia, Whole-Timer Director, NDTV

Sanjay Pugalia is a distinguished political and business journalist with extensive experience in digital, television, and print media. He has been involved in several groundbreaking ventures in India and led CNBC Awaaz for 12 years. Previously, as News Director, he helped establish Star News in Hindi, led Zee News, and was part of the founding team of AajTak. Pugalia also served as President - Head of Strategic Planning and Film Business at Australia's Nine Network's Indian JV in 2000-01. In print journalism, he has contributed to Business Standard and Navbharat Times. Additionally, he was a regular contributor to BBC Hindi Radio in the 1990s. Pugalia joined NDTV from Quint Digital Media Ltd, where he served as President and Editorial Director. He has shared his vision for NDTV, focusing on building an organization for the future that consistently sets new industry standards. In 2024, NDTV also launched its Marathi news channel.

Dinesh Bhatia, Group CEO, India Today Group

Dinesh Bhatia is a visionary leader with more than 25 years of experience in the media industry. Known for his track record of driving growth and innovation, Bhatia has been instrumental in shaping the India Today Group’s publishing, broadcast, and digital ventures. Before joining TVTN, Bhatia spent nearly a decade at HT Media. He joined the India Today Group in 2006 as Group Chief Financial Officer and transitioned to his current role in 2020, ushering in a new era of leadership and dynamic innovation. His role involves leading initiatives across the Group, including TV Today’s flagship channels, the iconic India Today magazine, other prominent titles, and the digital business, which spans both legacy brands and digital-first products. Under his leadership, the Group has reached significant milestones, including launching channels like India Today TV (ITTV), Good News Today (GNT), and digital-first platforms such as Lallantop and Taks, along with the introduction of Connected TV (CTV) and India’s first AI-based news anchor, Sana. Aaj Tak has remained the top Hindi news channel on television and is the 'Most Subscribed News Channel Globally' on YouTube, with over 69 million subscribers. Digital-first brands are rapidly achieving milestones on YouTube, earning Gold Buttons and establishing themselves as socially empowered powerhouses.

Under Bhatia, the Group has, in recent years, managed to maintain double-digit growth in its core business, due to his strategic bets on revenue diversification and digital innovation. The Group has secured over 180 awards in the last calendar year across platforms for responsible journalism and technological excellence. Bhatia's focus on business viability and financial prudence will continue to fortify India Today's market leadership in terms of profitability. His ability to balance operational efficiency with long-term innovation ensures the Group's ongoing success in an increasingly competitive media landscape.

Dinesh Bhatia took over as Group CEO in 2022. He was the Group Head of Strategy before that. Dinesh Bhatia has been associated with TVTN for more than 15 years, having started as the Chief Financial Officer.

Rahul Kumar Shaw, CEO, Television and Radio, TV Today Network

Rahul Shaw was appointed CEO in 2020, after having previously served as the COO and CRO. He joined the Group in 2011 as Vice President of Sales at the then Headlines Today (now India Today news channel). With over 25 years of experience in the advertising industry across print, television, radio, and sports management, his role is pivotal to the Group's success.

Varun Kohli, COO, Times Network

Varun Kohli joined Times Network as Chief Operating Officer for the News Broadcasting Business in June 2024. After a decade of leadership of the company, MK Anand who steps down as CEO on December 31, 2024, will be replaced by Kohli. In his tenure, MK Anand guided the house of Times Network through countless challenges, most recently the huge transition after Arnab Goswami quit as Editor-in-Chief from Times Now. He focused on the delivery of correct news, embracing innovations by technology, and negotiating digital loads as technologies become more complicated.

Avinash Kaul, CEO (Broadcast), Network18

Avinash Kaul, the CEO of Network18 (Broadcast), celebrated his 10th anniversary with the company in May 2024.  With over 25 years of media industry experience, Kaul heads one of the biggest news networks in India, spanning across 21 channels, representing 18 languages. "I have had the privilege of working across both television and digital verticals," he said. Previously, he was with Times Television Network as CEO, managing channels such as Times Now, ET Now, and Zoom.

Karan Abhishek Singh, CEO, Zee Media Corporation Ltd (ZMCL)

Karan Abhishek Singh was appointed CEO of ZMCL in July 2024. Before this role, he served as the CEO of Network18 (Hindi News - TV and Digital). Singh has over five years of experience with Star India (now Disney Star) and has also worked with leading companies such as PepsiCo India, Nokia, Godrej Sara Lee, and HUL.

Ritu Dhawan, MD, India TV

Ritu Dhawan, the Managing Director of the company and wife of Chairman Rajat Sharma, currently oversees the operations at India TV in the absence of a designated CEO. Under her leadership, the India TV group experienced significant growth last year and introduced three CTV-first channels. Notably, India TV Speed News became the first channel to transition from CTV to linear TV, marking a unique milestone as the industry shifts from linear to digital platforms.

Hersh Bhandari, CEO, Republic World

Republic Media Network promoted Hersh Bhandari to the position of CEO for its broadcast business in November 2023. Before this, he held the role of COO at Republic Media Broadcast. Bhandari is responsible for overseeing the national operations of all the Network's existing broadcast channels. With more than 30 years of experience in the industry, he has previously worked with Star TV Network, Times Network, and TV Today before joining Republic TV.  

Barun Das MD and CEO, tv9 Network

Barun Das is a key figure in the news industry, serving as the Managing Director and CEO of TV9 Network. Under his leadership, the TV9 Network has grown and innovated in an incredible manner to become one of the top news organizations. For his outstanding leadership, Barun Das was awarded the 'World's Best Leader' by WCRC, which recognized his impact and contributions to the media sector. He is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and the Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata; he also received his MSc in history from the London School of Economics (LSE). Prior to his role as CEO, Das was working as the head of Zee Media Limited for five years.

Rajesh Kalra, Chairman and CEO, Asianet News Media

Rajesh Kalra is a key figure in the news industry in 2025, serving as the Executive Chairman of Asianet News Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. He has had nearly three decades of experience in journalism, including being Chief Editor at Times Internet, Economic Times, Business Standard, Times of India, and Dataquest. Asianet News has been the beneficiary of significant expansion and penetration in southern India through embracing digital platforms and innovative content strategies, all under Kalra's stewardship. He has been very instrumental in upholding journalistic integrity and the adaptability to the changes in the media landscape that has helped the organization succeed.

Anurradha Prasad, CMD, News24

Anurradha Prasad, the Chairperson and Managing Director of B.A.G. Films & Media Ltd. and Editor-in-Chief of News24, plays a crucial role in India’s news industry in 2025. Having three decades of experience in the field, she has shaped Indian television journalism to a large extent. Launched in 2007, News24 is now one of the leading Hindi news channels. Known for timely and reliable news, this channel stands for "Think First," signifying a solution-oriented approach and inclusive journalism towards its audience.

In 2025 seems to be that moment when transformation would come sweeping over India's news broadcasting arena with visionary CEOs embracing innovation, adopting digital strategies and setting new benchmarks of journalism as the leaders at networks reshape to maintain India ahead of the increasingly rapidly changing international media landscape.