MAM
Exit stage left Avinash Kaul set to sign off from Network18
MUMBAI: When the credits roll, even the most seasoned showrunners know when it’s time to change the channel. Avinash Kaul, chief executive officer of Network18 (broadcast) and managing director of A+E networks, has resigned and is expected to move on from the Network18 group, sources said.
Kaul’s departure brings the curtain down on nearly 12 years with Network18 and a media career spanning over 26 years. Known for his strategic acumen and steady leadership, Kaul’s remit within the group was significantly expanded in August last year. At the time, he was entrusted with driving direct revenue growth across television, digital and print, while also continuing to strengthen ratings performance and overseeing key operating verticals across broadcast and print businesses.
During his tenure, Kaul reported to Rahul Joshi and played a central role in shaping Network18’s broadcast strategy through a period marked by intense competition and rapid shifts in audience behaviour.
Before joining Network18, Kaul served as chief executive officer of the television division at Bennett Coleman and Company Limited. Earlier chapters of his career saw him in senior leadership roles at Sahara One and NDTV, building a reputation as a calm operator with a sharp commercial instinct.
Widely respected across the media and broadcasting industry, Kaul has previously been recognised as CEO of the Year at the ENBA Awards, a reflection of his influence and standing within the sector.
While his next move is yet to be formally announced, Kaul’s exit marks the end of a significant chapter for Network18 and signals that one of Indian broadcasting’s most familiar executives is preparing for his next act.
Brands
From mega bills to spontaneous dates: Swiggy Dineout Valentine’s report
From mega bills to last-minute plans, India celebrated love with flair
MUMBAI: Valentine’s Day 2026 was a feast for the senses and wallets alike, according to Swiggy Dineout. India’s on-demand dining platform revealed how the nation celebrated romance with big gestures, lively nights out, and plenty of spontaneous bookings.
Metropolitan hubs continued to rule the roost with Bengaluru, Delhi, and Hyderabad seeing the most reservations. Emerging cities aren’t far behind, with Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Chandigarh joining the party. Growth was particularly striking in Surat (up 180 per cent), Vadodara (155 per cent) and Bhubaneswar (145.5 per cent) compared with the previous Saturday.
Mumbai stole the headlines with a single customer splashing out Rs 130,155 – the highest bill in the country. The city also hosted the largest single group booking, with 30 diners coming together to celebrate in style. Most Valentine’s transactions took place between 10pm and 11pm, proving love, and hunger, strike late.
Mumbai stole the spotlight with a mega-spender whose bill made everyone else blush, while savvy diners were cashing in on discounts, including a Pune customer saving 60% and another in Bengaluru saving 50 per cent. Fine dining was on fire, with bookings up 121 per cent year-on-year, though pubs, bars, and lounges remained the crowd favourites, accounting for 30.6 per cent of all reservations. Last-minute romance was the order of the day, with 66 per cent of diners booking within two hours of heading out. Together, India saved over Rs 6 crore, proving that love can be grand, yet thrifty.
Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi led the premium dining rush, showing a growing appetite for curated, high-end experiences. Meanwhile, spontaneous bookings reinforced modern lifestyles, where convenience and instant gratification rule the day.
Whether it was big spends, huge groups, or a last-minute romantic dash, Valentine’s Day 2026 proved love and dining go hand in hand – and sometimes, they go all out.
