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Ashish Sehgal makes a timely move as Times Network CEO from early next month
MUMBAI: Ashish Sehgal is coming home to Times Group. The media industry heavyweight will take charge as chief executive officer of Times Network next month, ending a turbulent year and a half that saw two leadership exits and mounting operational drift.
Sehgal, who left Zee Entertainment Enterprises in October after a successful run as chief growth officer for broadcast and digital, will also serve as chief growth officer for business, sports and entertainment verticals within Vineet Jain’s portfolio. His arrival is expected to bring much-needed stability to a network that has been rudderless since the departure of long-serving chief executive M. K. Anand in July 2024.
The leadership vacuum deepened in August when chief operating officer Varun Kohli stepped down after just 13 months. Rohit Gopakumar, who juggles responsibilities across Worldwide Media and the entertainment and digital divisions, has been holding the fort since. Sehgal’s appointment will allow him to return to his core mandate.
Industry insiders see the move as a signal that Times Network is ready to stop the bleeding and start building again. Sehgal brings a reputation for sharp strategy and muscular execution. At Zeel, he drove performance across television and Zee5, steered the ILT20 Cricket League as business head, and delivered robust top-line growth as chief operating officer of Zee Unimedia between 2015 and 2020—widely regarded as one of the company’s strongest phases.
Before Zee, Sehgal cut his teeth at Star India, where he ran national sales for Star Gold after leading its northern operations. His career began at Univista TV and Times FM.
Reached for comment, Sehgal was cryptic. “No comment. I’m off on a holiday and will be spending time with my family.” Sources within Times Network, however, confirmed the appointment.
The network has been holding its breath. Now it can exhale.
(Updated 12 noon)
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Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
