News Broadcasting
Mihir Bhatt appointed as chief content officer at News18 Studios
The media veteran brings two decades of experience across television, digital and radio to one of India’s biggest broadcast networks, Disney+ Hotstar, Discovery+
NEW DELHI: Network18 has a new strategist in the building. Mihir Bhatt, one of Indian media’s more versatile operators, has joined News18 Studios as chief content officer, stepping into a role that will see him shape content strategy, build multi-platform properties and drive brand partnerships across the network.
Bhatt brings more than two decades of experience spanning television, digital and radio, with a track record of doing something rare in Indian media: combining editorial ambition with hard commercial results. At Times Network, where he served as managing editor and chief business officer of Times Influence, he built one of the industry’s more respected content studios, launching marquee properties such as the India Economic Conclave, the Times Now Summit and Leaders of Tomorrow. He also pushed the network into premium OTT territory through tie-ups with Disney+ Hotstar and Discovery+.
His resume stretches well beyond the studio. Bhatt has led Global Investor Summits for multiple state governments, worked alongside the World Economic Forum and played a pivotal role in launching the Indian Pickleball League. Earlier, as editor of Zee Business, he pioneered investor education initiatives that are still cited as industry benchmarks.
At News18 Studios, Bhatt will report to chief executive S Shivakumar and will oversee the studios execution vertical alongside revenue verticals covering emerging markets and campaigns. Sidharth Saini, Hemanth Kumar and Nimar Sarkaria will work under him.
Rahul Joshi, managing director and editor-in-chief of Network18 Group, made the announcement in an internal communication. “Mihir’s ability to build enduring brands, foster strategic partnerships and navigate a rapidly evolving media landscape will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our position and explore new avenues of growth in the Studios business,” Joshi said.
In a media industry lurching between disruption and reinvention, Network18 has bet on a man who has spent two decades thriving in exactly that chaos. Whether he can do it again, at greater scale, is the question worth watching.
News Broadcasting
News18 to launch Delhi NCR channel at ‘Rising Delhi’ conclave today
New regional channel debut aligns with high-profile policy and leadership summit
NEW DELHI: News18 Network is set to launch its dedicated regional channel, News18 Delhi NCR, at the inaugural Rising Delhi Conclave today, marking a significant push into hyper-local news coverage in the capital region.
The channel will be officially unveiled by Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta in the presence of policymakers, industry leaders and key stakeholders.
Positioned as a platform for meaningful dialogue, the Rising Delhi Conclave will spotlight issues shaping the future of Delhi NCR. Conversations will span civic infrastructure, governance, urban development, environment and culture, bringing together diverse voices to map the region’s growth path.
The event will open on a musical note with performances by Shibani Kashyap and Sudhir Yaduvanshi, before moving into a packed agenda featuring prominent leaders. The speaker line-up includes Parvesh Sahib Singh, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Kapil Mishra, Pankaj Kumar Singh, Atishi Marlena, Ajay Maken, Manoj Tiwari, and Satish Golcha.
With News18 Delhi NCR, the network is aiming to deepen its connection with local audiences by focusing on issues that directly impact citizens. The move underlines its strategy to strengthen regional storytelling while offering more targeted and relevant coverage.
The conclave will be broadcast live from 1 PM onwards on the newly launched channel as well as its YouTube platform, giving viewers a front-row seat to discussions set to shape the capital’s next chapter.
