What Happened to New Delhi Television Limited (NDTV)?

New Delhi Television Limited (NDTV) began its journey in 1984 as a production house, founded by economist Prannoy Roy and journalist Radhika Roy, eventually becoming India's first independent television news network in 1988. Over decades, NDTV established itself as a respected voice in Indian journalism, known for its English and Hindi news channels, NDTV 24x7 and NDTV India, launched in 2003. The company was celebrated for its election coverage and distinctive news programming, often seen as a critical and independent media outlet.

The landscape for NDTV dramatically shifted in 2022 with the entry of the Adani Group, a multinational conglomerate led by Gautam Adani. The acquisition process was complex, beginning in August 2022 when Adani Group indirectly acquired a 29.18% stake in NDTV by purchasing Vishvapradhan Commercial Private Limited (VCPL), a company that held convertible debentures in RRPR Holding Pvt Ltd, NDTV's promoter entity. This move was initially contested by the Roys, who claimed it was done without their consent.

Following this, Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy resigned as directors from RRPR Holding on November 29, 2022. The Adani Group then launched an open offer to acquire an additional 26% stake from public shareholders, which concluded in December 2022, increasing their total shareholding to 37.44%. A crucial turning point came on December 23, 2022, when the Roys announced their decision to sell 27.26% of their remaining 32.26% stake to the Adani Group. By December 30, 2022, Adani Group completed this acquisition, making it the single largest shareholder with a 64.71% stake in NDTV.

The consequences of the Adani takeover included the departure of several prominent journalists, notably Ravish Kumar. In the post-acquisition era, NDTV has focused on strategic restructuring and leadership changes. In April 2025, veteran journalist Rahul Kanwal was appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Editor-in-Chief, with his role becoming effective on May 26, 2025. The company also underwent an amalgamation of several subsidiaries, including NDTV Networks, NDTV Worldwide, NDTV Media, and NDTV Labs, into the main listed entity, effective October 1, 2025, aimed at streamlining operations.

Current Status as of 2026-04-28: As of March 2026, the Adani Group's promoter holding in NDTV stands at 69.02%. Financially, NDTV reported a consolidated net loss of ₹80.25 crore for the third quarter of FY26 (October-December 2025), despite a 13.31% year-on-year increase in revenue from operations to ₹150.41 crore. This indicates that while revenue is growing, operating costs remain elevated, impacting profitability. The company is actively expanding its global and digital footprint, evidenced by the appointment of Naveen Kapoor as Editor of NDTV World in February 2026. NDTV also hosts various events like the NDTV Yuva 2026 and NDTV Profit Conclave 2026, showcasing its continued presence in the media landscape.