NDTV has announced the appointment of seasoned media leader Rahul Shaw to head its experiential business, marking a strategic leap into India’s fast-evolving experience economy. Backed by over 30 years of leadership across television, radio, print, sports, and live events, Shaw’s entry signals NDTV’s intent to build high-impact, scalable platforms rooted in connection, community, and culture.

As per the NDTV announcement, Shaw’s role will centre on building flagship event IPs, immersive formats, and large-scale public-facing experiences that reflect India’s shifting consumer aspirations. His entry aligns with growing momentum in India’s experiential segment, projected to grow at a CAGR of 19 percent through 2027, with the organised events industry expected to cross Rs.202 billion. In fact, the country has seen ticketed events grow fourfold over five years — as Indians move from passive content consumption to participatory, emotion-led experiences.

Shaw is tasked with developing NDTV’s experiential vertical to reach both urban metros and deeper into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, unlocking opportunities in regional India where audience aspirations and spending power are rising. The goal is not only cultural — but economic. Experiential formats today touch every part of the value chain, from tourism and hospitality to merchandise, F&B, talent management, and local infrastructure.

Prior to joining NDTV, Rahul Shaw served as CEO of TV Today Network, where he oversaw top news brands like Aaj Tak and India Today Television. He is widely credited with driving the turnaround of Headlines Today into the high-impact India Today TV and for strengthening the group’s live events and activation business. Shaw also pioneered virtual advertising innovations that opened new monetization models for broadcast media.

He has built celebrated live platforms such as Sahitya Aaj Tak, one of India’s largest literary festivals backed by a news brand, and the ‘Yo Yo Honey Singh Millionaire Tour’, which marked the rapper’s high-profile return to the stage — reflecting Shaw’s keen understanding of Indian pop culture and live engagement.

His resume includes top leadership roles at Star India, Zee Entertainment, Sony Entertainment Television, Turner International, NDTV Imagine, INX News, and Bennett Coleman & Co., spanning functions such as content strategy, monetization, brand activation, and operational management. In recognition of his contributions, Shaw was named CEO of the Year by the ENBA awards.

Speaking about his new role, Shaw said, “NDTV is a brand that’s etched in public memory — for its trust, its poise, its sharp journalism, and for always being ahead of the curve in innovation. Today, we have an opportunity to extend that credibility into the world of immersive experiences to create conversations that are not only seen but felt. The audience today isn’t just looking to attend. They want to engage.”

Rahul Kanwal, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, NDTV, welcomed Shaw’s arrival, saying, “Over several years, I have seen first-hand Rahul Shaw’s aggression and ambition and his ability to think and act big and bold. Shaw’s entry is a major force multiplier for NDTV at this stage in the journey of the business. I am extremely bullish on the prospects of the experiences economy and confident that NDTV can be a key player in this fast-growing vertical.”

 

With this move, NDTV is repositioning itself beyond the newsroom — into the heart of India’s live culture and knowledge ecosystem. The new vertical will blend storytelling, journalism, and audience immersion through summits, forums, festivals, creator tours, and public IPs that cater to an experience-hungry generation.

As NDTV reshapes its future, Rahul Shaw’s leadership is set to play a key role in turning this vision into a tangible, thriving, and people-powered reality.