#e4mExclusive: Varun Kohli quits Bharat Express as Director & Group CEO
With more than three decades of experience in the media industry, Kohli had rejoined Bharat Express after a brief tenure at Times Network
by
Published: May 19, 2026 2:27 PM | 2 min read
Follow Us
- Varun Kohli has resigned as Director and Group CEO of Bharat Express, concluding his second tenure with the network.
- Kohli rejoined Bharat Express in January 2023 after a brief period at Times Network, where he served as COO and contributed to key operational initiatives.
- During his time at Bharat Express, Kohli played a significant role in developing the channel's editorial and business strategies, enhancing brand positioning, and driving audience engagement.
- Under the leadership of Upendra Rai, Bharat Express has gained prominence in the Hindi news broadcasting sector and is pursuing expansion plans, including the revival of Sahara's media assets.
Varun Kohli has stepped down as Director and Group CEO of Bharat Express, marking the end of his second stint with the network.
With more than three decades of experience in the media industry, Kohli had rejoined Bharat Express after a brief tenure at Times Network, where he served as COO and led several key operational and strategic initiatives.
Kohli first joined Bharat Express in January 2023 as CEO and Director and played an important role in shaping the channel’s editorial and business strategy during its formative years. He was instrumental in building the network’s operational framework, strengthening its brand positioning and driving audience engagement and revenue growth.
Known for his hands-on leadership style and expertise in scaling media businesses, Kohli has held senior leadership roles across some of India’s leading media organisations, including ITV Network, Deccan Chronicle Holdings, Mogae Media, Network18, Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd., HT Media and Amar Ujala Prakashan.
Over the years, he has built a reputation for launching and turning around media brands, with a strong focus on sustainable growth, business transformation and building high-performance teams.
Under the leadership of Upendra Rai, Bharat Express has rapidly emerged as one of the notable players in the Hindi news broadcasting space. The network recently celebrated its third anniversary with a large-scale conclave themed around “Viksit Bharat 2047: Naye Bharat Ki Baat,” reflecting its expanding editorial ambitions and growing industry presence.
The channel has also been actively working towards expanding its media footprint, with Upendra Rai recently announcing plans linked to the revival and expansion of Sahara’s media assets alongside Bharat Express’ broader growth vision.
Read more news about People Movement, Internet Advertising, Marketing, Digital Media, PR and Corporate Communication
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube & Google News
Tags
Times network
Varun kohli
Bharat Express
Director Group CEO
Varun Kohli Bharat Express
Bharat Express CEO
Varun Kohli exit
Bharat Express leadership update
Bharat Express Group CEO
Varun Kohli quits Bharat Express as Director and Group CEO
Bharat Express leadership change 2026
Varun Kohli exits Bharat Express network
media veteran Varun Kohli resigns from Bharat Express
Varun Kohli steps down as Bharat Express Group CEO
Bharat Express leadership update featuring Varun Kohli
Varun Kohli exits Bha