News Broadcasting
TV Today buys Romesh Films for Rs 200 crore to acquire Noida property
MUMBAI: In a deal that’s more location than storyline, TV Today Network has greenlit a blockbuster acquisition not of a production house with a hit filmography, but of a shell company sitting on prime land. At its board meeting on 25 July, the India Today Group-owned broadcaster approved the Rs 200 crore acquisition of Romesh Films Private Limited, a company with zero revenue, a modest net worth of Rs 5.93 crore, and one marquee asset: an immovable property in Noida. The company posted a profit after tax of Rs 2.82 crore in FY25 despite no turnover, a neat little plot twist that reflects its sole function as a property holder.
Rather than purchase the property outright, TV Today has opted to buy 100 per cent equity 4,65,010 shares of face value Rs 100 each of Romesh Films from existing shareholders. The deal excludes any net assets other than the land and building and is subject to due diligence, stamp duty, registration charges, and other transfer-related costs.
Once completed, Romesh Films will become a wholly owned subsidiary of TV Today Network. The company says the acquisition will aid operational convenience and support long-term expansion, given its proximity to the group’s corporate office in Noida.
TV Today Network reported revenue from operations of Rs 197.19 crore for the quarter ended June 2025, navigating a quarter of industry-wide recalibration following last year’s election-related ad spike. Profit from continuing operations stood at Rs 7.39 crore, while the company posted a net profit of Rs 7.35 crore for the period, reflecting a stable performance in a non-election cycle.
The radio business now treated as a discontinued operation dragged further, reporting a loss before tax of Rs 0.05 crore, contributing to a cumulative drag of Rs 7.89 crore for FY25.
But the company isn’t tuning out yet. In February, it signed an MoU to sell its three radio stations in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata (104.8 FM) for Rs 20 crore. The transaction, pending MIB approvals, will be routed through its wholly owned subsidiary, Vibgyor Broadcasting.
The net result? A strategic shift from frequencies to fixed assets, with an eye on solid ground even if it comes with no script.
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.
