NETWORK18 Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

NETWORK18 has 7 executives leading key functions including news broadcasting, digital content distribution, human resources, revenue generation, and financial management.

Committed to delivering high-quality media experiences across television and digital platforms, NETWORK18 drives innovation in the Indian entertainment sector through its diverse portfolio of news channels, streaming services, and digital publications.

Leadership Roles at NETWORK18

  • Chief Executive Officer, English & Business News Cnbc Tv18, Cnn News18, Cnbc Awaaz, Bajar, Cnbctv18 Com - Smriti Mehra
  • Chief Executive Officer & Producer - Rajen Garabadu
  • Chief Executive Officer, News18 Digital - Mitul Sangani
  • Chief Executive Officer - News18 Studio - S. Shivakumar
  • Group Chief Financial Officer - Hariharan Mahadevan
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Paul Sanchayan
  • Chief Revenue Officer, Indian Languages - Sidharth Newatia
  • Smriti Mehra - Chief Executive Officer, English & Business News Cnbc Tv18, Cnn News18, Cnbc Awaaz, Bajar, Cnbctv18 Com

    Smriti Mehra, the Chief Executive Officer, English & Business News Cnbc Tv18, Cnn News18, Cnbc Awaaz, Bajar, Cnbctv18 Com at NETWORK18, directs the strategic editorial and commercial operations for the company's premier business and English news assets. Overseeing high-stakes broadcast environments, Mehra ensures that CNBC-TV18 and CNN-News18 maintain market dominance through rigorous journalism and real-time financial reporting. This leadership role involves managing complex cross-platform content delivery, spanning television broadcasts and digital web properties. By aligning editorial output with the evolving demands of the Indian business community, Smriti Mehra optimizes audience engagement and advertising revenue. Mehra also coordinates with production teams to refine the delivery of market-moving news, ensuring that the network remains the primary source for financial intelligence across the region. Through constant innovation in news presentation, the Chief Executive Officer secures the long-term competitive positioning of these flagship media brands.

    Rajen Garabadu - Chief Executive Officer & Producer

    Rajen Garabadu, the Chief Executive Officer & Producer at NETWORK18, manages the creative development and production workflows for the company's filmed entertainment and television content divisions. Overseeing the end-to-end lifecycle of media projects, Garabadu ensures that all productions meet high standards of quality and commercial viability. This role requires constant collaboration with creative teams to translate concepts into engaging visual narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. By optimizing production budgets and resource allocation, Rajen Garabadu drives operational efficiency across the studio environment. Garabadu also monitors market trends to identify new opportunities for content expansion, ensuring that the company maintains a robust pipeline of original programming. Through the integration of advanced production technologies and strategic storytelling, the Chief Executive Officer & Producer strengthens the company's footprint in the competitive Indian media landscape, ultimately delivering high-impact entertainment that supports the broader growth objectives of the organization.

    Mitul Sangani - Chief Executive Officer, News18 Digital

    Mitul Sangani, the Chief Executive Officer, News18 Digital at NETWORK18, architects the digital transformation and growth strategy for the company's online news ecosystem. Overseeing the expansion of digital platforms, Sangani drives user acquisition and engagement through data-driven content distribution and technological optimization. This leadership role involves managing the intersection of editorial integrity and digital product development, ensuring that News18 remains a top-tier destination for online audiences. By leveraging advanced analytics, Mitul Sangani identifies emerging consumption patterns to refine the digital product roadmap. Sangani also coordinates with technical teams to enhance platform performance and user experience across mobile and web interfaces. Through the implementation of scalable digital infrastructure, the Chief Executive Officer, News18 Digital secures a dominant market share in the competitive online news space, directly contributing to the company's overall digital revenue growth and long-term sustainability in the rapidly evolving media environment.
    Mitul Sangani

    S. Shivakumar - Chief Executive Officer - News18 Studio

    S. Shivakumar, the Chief Executive Officer - News18 Studio at NETWORK18, directs the operational infrastructure and technical capabilities of the company's studio facilities. Overseeing the daily production requirements for news broadcasting, Shivakumar ensures that all studio operations maintain high levels of reliability and technical excellence. This role involves managing the integration of broadcast technology and studio resources to support the network's extensive news coverage. By optimizing facility utilization and production workflows, S. Shivakumar drives operational efficiency across the studio environment. Shivakumar also collaborates with editorial leadership to ensure that technical capabilities align with the evolving needs of live news production. Through the modernization of studio assets and the implementation of streamlined production processes, the Chief Executive Officer - News18 Studio supports the delivery of high-quality content, ensuring that the network remains at the forefront of broadcast innovation while maintaining consistent operational standards across all news programming.

    Hariharan Mahadevan - Group Chief Financial Officer

    Hariharan Mahadevan, the Group Chief Financial Officer at NETWORK18, manages the financial health and fiscal strategy of the entire media conglomerate. Overseeing capital allocation, financial reporting, and risk management, Mahadevan ensures that the company maintains a strong balance sheet while pursuing growth opportunities. This leadership role involves providing critical financial insights to the Board and executive team to guide strategic decision-making across television, digital, and filmed entertainment divisions. By implementing rigorous financial controls and optimizing cost structures, Hariharan Mahadevan drives operational efficiency and long-term value creation. Mahadevan also monitors market conditions and regulatory requirements to ensure compliance and financial stability. Through the oversight of complex financial operations and the development of robust fiscal policies, the Group Chief Financial Officer supports the company's overarching mission, ensuring that the organization remains well-positioned to invest in innovation and maintain its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving global media market.

    Paul Sanchayan - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Paul Sanchayan, the Chief Human Resources Officer at NETWORK18, designs and executes the human capital strategy to support the company's diverse media operations. Overseeing talent acquisition, organizational development, and employee engagement, Sanchayan ensures that the workforce remains aligned with the company's strategic goals. This leadership role involves fostering a high-performance culture that attracts and retains top talent in the competitive media and entertainment industry. By implementing robust performance management systems and professional development programs, Paul Sanchayan drives organizational excellence and operational agility. Sanchayan also collaborates with the executive team to address workforce planning needs across various business units, from newsrooms to digital product teams. Through the cultivation of a dynamic and inclusive workplace environment, the Chief Human Resources Officer strengthens the company's internal capabilities, ensuring that the organization possesses the necessary human capital to navigate the complexities of the modern media landscape and achieve long-term growth.
    Paul Sanchayan

    Sidharth Newatia - Chief Revenue Officer, Indian Languages

    Sidharth Newatia, the Chief Revenue Officer, Indian Languages at NETWORK18, directs the commercial strategy and advertising sales for the company's regional language media assets. Overseeing revenue growth across diverse linguistic markets, Newatia ensures that the company maximizes its monetization potential through strategic partnerships and client relationships. This leadership role involves managing complex sales operations and developing innovative advertising solutions that resonate with regional audiences. By analyzing market trends and consumer behavior, Sidharth Newatia optimizes the sales funnel to drive consistent revenue performance. Newatia also coordinates with editorial and production teams to align commercial opportunities with high-value content initiatives. Through the expansion of the company's regional footprint and the cultivation of strong advertiser networks, the Chief Revenue Officer, Indian Languages secures the financial stability of the regional media portfolio, directly contributing to the overall profitability and market expansion of the organization within the competitive Indian media landscape.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding NETWORK18 Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads NETWORK18?
    NETWORK18 is led by Smriti Mehra (Chief Executive Officer, English & Business News Cnbc Tv18, Cnn News18, Cnbc Awaaz, Bajar, Cnbctv18 Com), along with executives such as Rajen Garabadu (Chief Executive Officer & Producer) and Mitul Sangani (Chief Executive Officer, News18 Digital).
    Who is part of NETWORK18’s executive team?
    The executive team of NETWORK18 includes leaders such as Smriti Mehra (Chief Executive Officer, English & Business News Cnbc Tv18, Cnn News18, Cnbc Awaaz, Bajar, Cnbctv18 Com), Rajen Garabadu (Chief Executive Officer & Producer), Mitul Sangani (Chief Executive Officer, News18 Digital) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does NETWORK18 have?
    NETWORK18 has 7 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in NETWORK18’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of NETWORK18 includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, English & Business News Cnbc Tv18, Cnn News18, Cnbc Awaaz, Bajar, Cnbctv18 Com, Chief Executive Officer & Producer, Chief Executive Officer, News18 Digital, Chief Executive Officer - News18 Studio, Group Chief Financial Officer.