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Saurav Maheshwari joins NDTV as CTV revenue head (N & E)
Digital sales leader to drive growth of NDTV’s connected TV business
NOIDA: NDTV has appointed Saurav Maheshwari as revenue head – CTV sales (North & East), strengthening its focus on the rapidly expanding connected TV segment.
Maheshwari joins the network after serving as sr. general manager – digital business lead at Republic World, where he spearheaded digital revenue strategy and led cross-functional teams across monetisation, ad operations and digital marketing initiatives.
In his new role at NDTV, he will be responsible for driving growth and expansion of the broadcaster’s connected TV business across North and East India. His mandate includes building strategic partnerships, accelerating revenue growth, strengthening client relationships and delivering innovative advertising solutions aligned with the evolving digital media landscape.
Sharing the news, Maheshwari described the move as an exciting new chapter in his professional journey, adding that he looks forward to creating value with the team and contributing to the development of the connected TV ecosystem. He also expressed gratitude to NDTV’s leadership for their trust and support.
Prior to Republic World, he held leadership positions including assistant general manager – business lead and regional head – north & east at Hungama Digital Media, group head – brand alliances at Shemaroo Entertainment, and sr. manager – digital sales & marketing at CNN-News18. His earlier experience spans roles at BW Businessworld, 4moles.com and Network18 Media & Investments.
With over 15 years in digital ad sales, branded content and business development, Maheshwari now steps into a role that places him at the intersection of television and digital, as NDTV sharpens its CTV revenue play in key regional markets.
People
Devika Prabhu joins Sony Pictures Networks India as business head – Hindi movies
Former Disney Star executive returns to SPNI to steer the network’s Hindi movie business
MUMBAI: Devika Prabhu is heading back to familiar turf. The veteran media executive has joined Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) as business head – Hindi movies, marking a return to the broadcaster where she began her early leadership journey.
Prabhu announced the move on LinkedIn, calling it both a new beginning and a homecoming. Earlier in her career, she spent several years at SPNI—then Multi Screen Media—working on strategic planning for Sony Entertainment Television.
The appointment brings to SPNI a media strategist with more than 25 years of experience across content, programming, brand strategy and platform growth. Most recently, Prabhu served at Disney Star as vice-president and business head – kids, youth and infotainment TV, where she led the Disney Kids and National Geographic portfolios following the Disney–Fox merger.
During her tenure, she oversaw a Rs 400-crore P&L while pushing digital expansion, partnerships and operational efficiencies. Earlier roles at Disney Star included leadership across programming, acquisitions, marketing and product strategy for multiple networks, including the UTV movie channels and youth brands.
Prabhu’s career has also spanned building cross-platform intellectual property, developing kids and family content ecosystems, and forging international format partnerships. She was closely involved in bringing global formats and franchises to Indian audiences and is widely credited with helping shape India’s anime fandom into a mainstream youth phenomenon.
At SPNI, she will now lead the Hindi movies business at a time when film channels are rethinking their role in a fragmented viewing landscape. With audiences discovering cinema across television, streaming and digital platforms, the challenge is not just programming films but reimagining how they reach viewers.
Prabhu believes movies still hold a unique cultural power, sparking conversations and creating shared moments long after the credits roll.
Now back where part of her journey began, she is set to write the next act, this time from the business seat of Hindi movie television. Lights, camera, strategy.
