B R Naidu Chairperson of News Channel TV5 appointed Chairman of TTD Board

Bollineni Rajagopal Naidu, popularly known as BR Naidu who is owner of news channel TV 5 and aligned with Chandrababu Naidu for many years, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board, marking a significant move in the governance of the revered temple trust. 

The newly-constituted board reflects a diverse assembly, with members drawn from across multiple states. Three MLAs from Andhra Pradesh, five members from Telangana, three from Karnataka, two from Tamil Nadu, and one each from Gujarat and Maharashtra have been included. One additional member is expected to join soon, with a nomination likely from the BJP, the ruling party's alliance partner.

Among the notable appointees are Jaggampeta MLA Jyotula Nehru, Kovur MLA Vemireddy Prashanthi Reddy, Madakasira MLA MS Raju, former Union Minister Panabaka Lakshmi, former Chief Justice of India HL Dattu, and Bharat Biotech Co-founder and Managing Director Suchitra Ella. Three Trust members were recommended by JSP president and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, including art director Buragapu Anand Sai, Telangana Jana Sena Party vice-president Bongunoori Mahender Reddy, and JSP founding member Anugolu Rangasri.

Although BR Naidu originally hails from Chittoor district, he is currently based in Hyderabad. Naidu, a close ally of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, is widely recognized for his philanthropic work within the Hindu community and his contributions through his vernacular news channel, TV5.

BR Naidu’s background is deeply rooted in Chittoor's agricultural sector, and he entered the political landscape during the tenure of TDP founder NT Rama Rao. Over the years, he has remained a dedicated supporter of the TDP.

Known for his business acumen and media influence, Naidu's journey in the media industry began with the establishment of TV5, a 24-hour Telugu news channel launched on October 2, 2007, by Shreya Broadcasting Pvt. Ltd. His entrepreneurial background includes owning Nuzen Hair Oil, a successful hair product company, which played a key role in funding the launch of TV5. 

TV5 has since grown under Naidu’s leadership, who, along with Bollineni Ravindranath and Bollineni Surendranath, serves as a board member and director of the company. Originally focusing on Telugu news, TV5 expanded to cater to Telugu-speaking audiences in the United States with TV5 USA, and later diversified its offerings in India with specialized digital and regional platforms. In August 2016, TV5 launched TV5 Money, a digital venture designed for real-time financial and business news, offering content via YouTube, mobile apps, and IPTV platforms. This move capitalized on the channel’s growing expertise in business journalism and lifestyle content.

Further expanding its portfolio, TV5 introduced Hindu Dharmam, a devotional and spiritual channel, on March 29, 2017, coinciding with the Ugadi festival. In the same year, TV5 launched TV5 Kannada, a dedicated Kannada-language news channel focused on Karnataka, which debuted on October 2 to mark the channel’s tenth anniversary. By 2017, TV5 had a strong network of 300 reporters covering the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, reinforcing its local presence and commitment to regional news.

With Naidu now leading the TTD board, his dual role in the media and religious sectors highlights his diverse contributions and influence, from advancing regional media coverage to supporting one of India’s most significant spiritual institutions.