RK Singh, first CEO of ESPN India, no more

Singh is credited with steering pay television in its formative years

by e4m Desk
Published: Aug 17, 2025 6:09 PM | 2 min read

RK Singh, the first CEO of ESPN India, is no more.

Singh was also the CEO of ESPN Star Sports. He is credited with steering pay television in its formative years.

As per media reports, he passed away on August 15 and was aged 75.

Industry heads remembered RK Singh as a pioneer of Indian broadcasting whose visionary leadership shaped the country’s television landscape.

"Anything but a “typical bureaucrat,” he conceptualised and launched DD-Metro, the dynamic city-centric service that transformed Indian broadcasting in the 1980s with a new wave of entertainment programming," said Anurag Dahiya, Chief Commercial Officer at ICC, in a social media post.

Tributes

"A true pioneer and a strong believer in the Indian Sports & Media Industry since it's infancy. He was kind enough to give me my first break in the Sports & Media industry and it was a privilege to work with him as we established ESPN STAR Sports. He will be long remembered for his impact on the Indian broadcasting industry. Rest in Peace RK and heartfelt condolences to his family."

- Manu Sawhney, Senior Advisor @ EQT | Previously CEO @ ICC, Board Member @ ManUtd, Managing Director @ ESPN Star Sports

"Had the privilege of working closely with RK during my time heading Ad Sales for ESPN Star Sports. A fine gentleman and a truly good human being. My heartfelt condolences to his wife Anu and the rest of the family."

- Raj Nayak, Founder, House of IPs & House of Cheer Networks Pvt Ltd.