Network18 Group is an Indian media and communications conglomerate headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The group operates a portfolio of news, entertainment, and digital businesses spanning television broadcasting, print, online publishing, and e-commerce. It is part of Reliance Industries Limited, with majority ownership held through Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance is the sole beneficiary.
| Name | Network18 Group |
|---|---|
| Type | Media conglomerate |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Industry | Mass media, broadcasting, digital publishing |
| Parent | Reliance Industries (via Independent Media Trust) |
| Listed entity | Network18 Media & Investments Limited |
| Stock exchanges | BSE, NSE |
The group traces its origins to TV18, a television content and production company founded by Raghav Bahl in the 1990s. TV18 initially produced business and current affairs programming for other broadcasters before launching its own channels. Over time, the company expanded into general news, regional news, business news, entertainment, and digital media, reorganising into the Network18 holding structure.
In 2014, Reliance Industries took control of Network18 Media & Investments Limited and its subsidiary TV18 Broadcast Limited, making it the largest media acquisition in India at that time. Following the transition, the founding promoters exited day-to-day management, and the group was integrated into Reliance's broader digital and consumer strategy.
Through Viacom18 Studios (now part of the JioCinema and broader Viacom18 ecosystem), the group has been involved in Indian theatrical film production and distribution. Its OTT presence includes JioCinema, which carries sports rights including the Indian Premier League digital streaming rights from 2023.
The principal listed holding company is Network18 Media & Investments Limited, which controls TV18 Broadcast Limited (television news and partial interest in entertainment ventures), e-Eighteen.com Limited (operator of Moneycontrol), and other subsidiaries. Promoter shareholding is routed through Independent Media Trust, with Reliance Industries Limited as the sole beneficiary.
Network18 is among the largest media groups in India by reach, with a presence across nearly all major Indian languages through its News18 network and entertainment partnerships. Its acquisition by Reliance Industries in 2014 was widely seen as a defining moment in the consolidation of Indian media, and its integration with Reliance's telecom and digital businesses (including Jio) has positioned it at the centre of India's convergence between content, broadband and streaming.