News Broadcasting
iTV Network shuffles its pack with two chief executive appointments
NEW DELHI: India’s iTV Network has announced a significant management reshuffle that sees two of its executives elevated to chief executive roles, effective 13 August 13. The appointments signal the network’s determination to capitalise on India’s booming digital media market whilst reinforcing its traditional broadcasting strengths.
Akshansh Yadav has been appointed chief executive of digital operations, taking charge of what the network describes as its “most dynamic digital properties.” Yadav, who brings over a decade of experience from heavyweight media organisations including ABP News, Zee News and the India Today group, will oversee an eclectic portfolio spanning NewsX, India News, The Daily Guardian, The Sunday Guardian and Inkhabar.
His credentials extend beyond traditional media. A computer science engineering graduate from Rajasthan Technical University with an MBA from MICA and a machine learning qualification from Harvard University, Yadav has also cut his teeth in fintech and direct-to-consumer sectors at Canara HSBC Insurance, Insurance Dekho and CarDekho. This blend of media savvy and tech expertise positions him well for iTV’s digital ambitions.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Gulati becomes chief executive of NewsX, NewsX World, NXT and—rather unexpectedly—the Indian Arena Polo League. A journalist with more than two decades in electronic media, Gulati has been instrumental in building NewsX’s credibility and will now oversee the network’s push into international markets through NewsX World, whilst nurturing NXT as what the company calls a “trendsetter focused on future affairs.”
The polo league addition reflects iTV’s appetite for diversification beyond news into premium sports content—a strategy that mirrors other Indian media conglomerates seeking new revenue streams.
“High-quality content is at the core of our work at iTV Network,” said iTV Foundation chairperson Aishwarya Pandit Sharma. The restructuring, she explained, would enable “swifter decision-making and better cross-platform collaboration” whilst better equipping the network to tackle “the challenges of the rapidly changing media environment.”
The appointments come at a pivotal moment for Indian media. Traditional broadcasters face mounting pressure from streaming platforms and digital-first news operations, whilst advertisers increasingly shift budgets towards digital channels. India’s digital advertising market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 20 per cent, making the battle for digital dominance increasingly fierce.
For iTV Network, owned by entrepreneur Kartikeya Sharma, these leadership changes represent a bet that specialised management can unlock growth across its diverse properties. The network’s portfolio spans serious news through The Daily Guardian to entertainment-focused content, requiring different strategies and audience approaches.
The challenge for both executives will be maintaining editorial credibility whilst driving commercial growth in an increasingly crowded and competitive market. With regional players expanding nationally and global platforms localising content, iTV’s success will depend on how effectively it can leverage its established brand whilst innovating for digital-native audiences.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
