News Broadcasting
News18 Bangla’s ‘Sikkhai Sampad’ empowers education in suburban Bengal
Mumbai: News18 Bangla remains committed to nurturing educational excellence and facilitating a platform for meaningful discourse that will pave the way for a better tomorrow. In a continued effort to uplift educational opportunities and celebrate academic excellence, News18 Bangla successfully organised the third session of its impactful program ‘Sikkhai Sampad – Let’s Study in Bengal’ on 25 August 2023, in Berhampore, Murshidabad district, West Bengal.
The pioneering initiative, ‘Sikkhai Sampad,’ aims to shed light on the diverse educational avenues available in Bengal and stimulate dialogue on vital enhancements needed in the educational landscape. Through the program, educators engage in enlightening talk shows as part of the programme, reviewing educational possibilities and recommending solutions for development.
During the event, a heartening awards ceremony took place, where the remarkable achievements of underprivileged students defying the odds were celebrated. Suman Dey and Sushmita Chakraborty, exemplifying determination and excellence, were honored for their outstanding performance in the madhyamik and higher secondary examinations, respectively. These students have demonstrated that education can be a transformational force with tenacity and dedication. Adding to the accolades, Jitendranath Ghosh, a dedicated teacher from Murshidabad District, received well-deserved recognition for his exceptional contributions to education in the region. His dedication is an example to educators throughout the state.
The event witnessed an engaging series of panel discussions in which eminent educationalists deliberated on strategies to make Bengal’s rich educational heritage more accessible to future generations. These sessions yielded excellent insights and actionable recommendations for shaping the region’s educational trajectory.
The honorable minister of the government of West Bengal, Akhruzzaman graced the occasion as the chief guest, praising News18 Bangla for this initiative in Murshidabad district. He emphasised the importance of collaborative initiatives that foster educational growth and empowerment at the grassroots level.
The success of the event was supported by our presenting sponsor, Sister Nivedita University, and co-powered by Reliance Industries Ltd and JIS Group. Their drive to educational advancement resonates deeply with the program’s mission, reflecting their dedication to shaping a brighter future for Bengal’s students.
Tune in to News18 Bangla to catch the highlights of the event on 2 and 3 September at 3.30 PM & 9 and 10 September at 4.30 PM.
News Broadcasting
GenNext takes charge as Network18 reshuffles leadership
With Avinash Kaul bowing out, Network18 hands reins to younger leaders, streamlines operations, and pushes data-driven growth across TV, digital and regional markets
MUMBAI: Network18 is redrawing its leadership map just as a long-time lieutenant bows out. Avinash Kaul, a central figure in the broadcaster’s rise since 2014, is leaving after 12 years to pursue “professional and personal goals”, triggering a broad-based reshuffle that puts a younger cohort directly under the top brass.
Kaul joined at a pivotal moment during the company’s transition and went on to scale the television business, combining strategic nous with data-led decision-making and a sharp read of the news landscape. “Avinash has been an integral part of the Network18 story,” the company said, thanking him for his leadership of the broadcast business and wishing him the best for the future.
In his wake, Network18 is betting on what it calls a “young and restless” leadership bench. “The team has taken charge and proved its mettle in quite adverse circumstances,” the note said, adding that “GenNext has seamlessly stepped in as we continue to outperform our peers.”
Operationally, the structure is being flattened. Smriti Mehra, S Shivakumar and Mitul Sangani will work directly with the top leadership, as they did in the fourth quarter. Ganesh Iyer and Abhinay Chauhan continue in their existing roles, while younger executives are being handed wider mandates across social, digital, connected TV and linear.
The reporting lines are being tightened to drive revenue and product momentum. Prabhat Chatterjee, business head–Forbes, and Arun Thapar, president–content and communication for AETN-18, will report to Smriti Mehra, alongside Mallika Nath Handa, who will lead special projects spanning new shows and non-linear properties. Jayesh Gokalgandhi, CFO for AETN-18, will report to Ramesh Damani.
Mitul Sangani will oversee expansion in Hindi and regional markets, with Sidharth Newatia, CRO–ILC, focusing on reach and revenue growth, particularly in tier-II and III markets. Pankaj Soni, head of marketing–ILC, will also report to Sangani while working functionally with Ganesh Iyer.
The group is also consolidating its branded content play. Moneycontrol’s branded content business will be folded into News18 Studio, with Don Zarrar moving to work with Shivakumar while continuing to lead existing studio and Focus teams.
International and platform growth are being bundled together. Pranav Bakshi takes on additional charge of the international business alongside connected TV and social platforms, with Naveen Mathur, who leads revenue management for the international unit, reporting to him. Bakshi continues to report to Puneet Singhvi.
On the technology and operations side, Rajesh Sharma, head of broadcast technology and IT; Rahul Singh, head of events and technical operations; and Bhupender Bhardwaj, head of IT security, will now report to Singhvi. Darshil Parekh, head of sales strategy, planning and operations, will work directly with Ramesh Damani and the top leadership, with Stanley Cyril, who manages digital sales operations, reporting to him.
Data is being pushed to the centre of decision-making. Jitamitra Mohanty, who leads research and analytics, will now work with Santosh Menon to turn audience data into “actionable insights that drive content strategy, product innovation and sustainable viewership growth”.
The message is clear: fewer layers, faster calls, sharper bets. With Kaul’s exit closing one chapter, Network18 is handing the wheel to a younger crew and doubling down on scale across screens. The race, it signals, will be run at full tilt.
