Akhil Bhalla named Product Head-CTV; Sanjeev Kumar Choudhary as Head-CTV Revenue at NDTV

NDTV has strengthened its focus on Connected TV (CTV) with the appointment of Akhil Bhalla as Product Head – Connected TV and Sanjeev Kumar Choudhary as Head of Connected TV Revenue.

The appointments come as Connected TV continues to grow as an important platform for video and news consumption. CTV combines the large-screen experience of traditional television with the targeting, measurement and flexibility of digital platforms.

In India, CTV usage has been growing rapidly. More than 129 million people reportedly watched digital video on CTV devices at least once in the previous month, while CTV penetration has reached more than 60 million households. This growth is making CTV an increasingly important part of the country's digital video ecosystem.

Advertisers are also showing greater interest in the platform. India's CTV advertising market is estimated to reach around USD 760 million in 2025 and could approach USD 1 billion in 2026. Globally, CTV advertising revenue is expected to reach USD 51 billion by 2029.

With the new appointments, NDTV plans to build a dedicated CTV operation covering product development, content experience, distribution and monetisation.

Akhil Bhalla, in his new role, will oversee NDTV's CTV product and editorial experience. His focus will be on improving how audiences find, watch and interact with news on connected television screens.

Bhalla has significant experience in CTV and news products. He previously worked with JioHotstar, earlier known as Disney+ Hotstar, where he helped integrate more than 45 national and regional news channels and developed systems for real-time news engagement. He has also worked with several leading media organisations during his career.

Bhalla said that CTV is changing the way audiences consume news and that NDTV's reputation for credibility gives it a strong base to develop a future-ready CTV offering.

Sanjeev Kumar Choudhary will lead the revenue side of NDTV's CTV business. His responsibilities will include expanding distribution, building partnerships and developing monetisation opportunities.

Choudhary joins NDTV from Republic Media Network. He has experience in digital revenue, CTV partnerships and large-scale monetisation. His previous work includes partnerships with platforms such as Yupp, Jio, Samsung TV Plus, LG, Planetcast and Google Showcase.

Choudhary said the growing CTV audience and rising advertiser interest present a significant opportunity. He added that NDTV's strong brand and editorial credibility can help it build premium advertising and revenue opportunities in the segment.

Rahul Kanwal, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, NDTV, said that Connected TV is changing how people consume news by bringing together television's reach and digital technology. He added that NDTV's investment in CTV will help the network respond to changing audience habits while creating new opportunities for growth.

Through these appointments, NDTV is looking to build a stronger presence in India's growing CTV market. The network aims to use the platform to reach larger audiences, strengthen engagement and create new revenue opportunities as connected television becomes more mainstream.