B. Sai Kumar named Group CEO at Network18

Thirty-seven-year-old Sai Kumar has spent a decade in the company. Prior to this he has worked with Times Music and Times FM.

B. Sai Kumar has been named the Group CEO at Network18, the position held by Haresh Chawla till recently. Chawla announced his exit this month.

Sai Kumar will also be joining the Boards of Viacom18 and HomeShop18 besides overseeing the group's news, web, publishing, factual entertainment and allied businesses which would include the IBN general news network, CNBC TV18/Awaaz business news network, Web18, Yellow Pages, Forbes India, AETN18 and the niche magazine stable among others.

Raghav Bahl, founder and editor of Network18 is expected to step up engagement with the management teams of Viacom18 and HomeShop18 and Sai Kumar will be working closely with Raghav Bahl on both Viacom18 and HomeShop18, while respective CEOs will continue reporting to their respective boards.

Speaking on this development, Raghav Bahl said, "Haresh has led Network18 with extraordinary distinction in the first phase of our growth and identity. Now, as we gear up for our most ambitious phase yet, I am convinced that Sai has the inclusive skills and mature leadership that are needed to get us there. He has our best wishes and our wholehearted support."

"Sai Kumar has seen the network grow from its very early days across various businesses, which has given him a width of experience that is tough to find in the media business. He is an accomplished leader and a true people's person and I have no doubt that he'll take the legacy forward to even greater heights," Haresh Chawla, the outgoing group CEO, said in an official communiqu�.

Sai Kumar will report to founder and editor Network18, Raghav Bahl in this new capacity. Prior to joining the Network18 Group in 2000, Sai Kumar was with the Times of India Group, where he worked with Times Music and Times FM.