News Broadcasting
Bharat Express appoints Rakesh Gopal as chief revenue officer
Mumbai: Bharat Express has kept the media fraternity abuzz with a slew of senior level appointments. The channel has further consolidated its sales team across India and announced the appointment of Rakesh Gopal as its chief revenue officer along with several senior level appointments across key markets. In his new role at Bharat Express, Rakesh Gopal will be entrusted with the responsibility for implementing revenue strategy and driving the network’s sales revenue.
Rakesh Gopal has a rich experience of over 25 years in media sales and has worked with reputed media brands like iTV Network, HT Media Ltd, India Today Group and BW Businessworld. Prior to joining Bharat Express, Rakesh Gopal was associated with Rajasthan Patrika Group as national corporate head.
Bharat Express has also appointed Sanya Malhotra as north head, Anasuya Chakraborty as west head, Ashish Rai as south head and Syed Tariq as head of government sales who will be reporting to Rakesh Gopal.
Bharat Express CMD & editor-in-chief Upendrra Rai commented on the appointments, “We are delighted to have a phenomenal team of seasoned and passionate media professionals who have been formulating a truly differentiated news content strategy. I believe the relevant news content that we are offering will resonate well among viewers and revenue will follow.”
Bharat Express CEO Varun Kohli said, “We are delighted to have Gopal on board leading a very diverse and passionate sales team at Bharat Express. He has a rich experience in driving ad revenues and implementing successful monetization strategies. I am assured that with Rakesh at the helm, our sales team will remain committed to optimize emerging revenue streams and add value to our advertising partners.”
Speaking on his appointment, Gopal said, “I am excited with all the excitement Bharat Express is garnering in the market. We have a talented team of experienced media sales professionals and I look forward to consolidate revenue and expand the advertising partners for the channel.”
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
