Network18 hires 51 young professionals through NYLP and Aarambh

MUMBAI: Network18 is giving its talent pipeline a fresh injection of youth. The news network has brought 51 young professionals on board through its two early-career programmes, NextGen Young Leaders Program (NYLP) and Aarambh, as it looks to build a pipeline of future talent across the media business.

The two programmes span Business, Editorial, Technology and Product functions, with the company positioning them as structured campus initiatives aimed at identifying and developing high-potential professionals from institutions across India.

NYLP focuses on graduates from leading management institutes, while Aarambh widens the net to graduate campuses across the country. Together, the programmes are designed to bring in talent from different geographies and academic backgrounds, adding varied perspectives to Network18’s workforce.

The intake also has a notable gender split, with 60 per cent of the 51 recruits being women, according to Sanchayan Paul, chief human resource officer, Network18.

The programmes begin with a week-long onboarding and induction designed to give participants a broad view of the organisation. The programme includes leadership interactions, newsroom immersions, business deep dives, cross-functional learning sessions and interactive Q&A sessions.

The classroom, however, is only the starting point. Following the induction, participants move into a structured learning programme combining mentorship, real business assignments and cross-functional exposure. The approach is intended to give the recruits practical experience while helping them build business acumen and skills relevant to the evolving media industry.

“At Network18, we believe our organisation’s future depends on our ability to identify, nurture, and empower young talent,” said Paul. He added that NYLP and Aarambh are aimed at connecting campus talent with meaningful exposure, mentorship and opportunities to learn from industry leaders.

The two programmes form part of Network18’s broader talent strategy as media businesses increasingly require professionals who can move across editorial, technology, product and commercial functions rather than operate within traditional silos.

With 51 recruits entering through the two programmes and women accounting for 60 per cent of the cohort, Network18 is betting that its next generation of media talent will be built not just through experience, but through early exposure to the industry’s rapidly changing playbook.