“My dream to own a newspaper is dead” I Financial Express Interview

Raghav Bahl

• FOUNDER, QUINT | FOUNDER & FORMER MD, NETWORK 18

Raghav Bahl is a veteran first-generation media entrepreneur, broadcast/digital journalist, and author of the best-selling “Super Trilogy” published by Penguin Allen Lane.

In his first innings (1992-2014), Raghav founded the Network18 group of media companies. Starting from scratch, Raghav built Network18 into a formidable network of over 12 news channels (including CNBC-TV18, CNN-News18, CNBC-Awaaz, and News18 India), over 10 entertainment/infotainment channels (including the Colors Network and History-TV18), and leading internet portals (including moneycontrol.com, bookmyshow.com, firstpost.com, among others). As Network18 grew into a billion-dollar-plus media enterprise, Raghav built successful partnerships with some of the world’s leading   corporations, including CNBC, Viacom, Time Warner, A&E Networks, BBC, Star TV, and Forbes.

In his second innings, which began after his successful exit from Network18 in 2014, Raghav has co-founded the Quintillion Media Group, which is a future-ready, digital-first news/information pioneer, including such new-age brands as The Quint and BloombergQuint. Raghav is also an investor in other fast-growing digital media operations, including The News Minute, Quintype Technologies, and Youth Ki Awaaz.

Along with being a media entrepreneur, Raghav is also one of the most accomplished news editors in the country. He is a senior member of the Editors Guild of India. His columns and digital videos are remarkably popular on his websites and social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Raghav is also the author of three books which triangulate the Geoeconomics among India, China, and America: SuperPower - The Amazing Race Between China’s Hare and India’s Tortoise (2010); SuperEconomies - America, India, China and the Future of the World (2015); and Super Century - What India Needs to do to Rise by 2050 (2019).  

Raghav has won several awards, including the Sanskriti Award for Journalism (1994), E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Business Transformation (2007), AIMA Award for Media Person of the Year (2011), BMA’s Award for Entrepreneur of the Year (2011), and an Honorary Doctorate from Amity University (2012).

Raghav graduated in Economics (Hons) from St Stephen’s College (1979-82). He completed his Master’s in Business Administration from Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi (1982-84). He briefly worked with AF Ferguson & Co and American Express Bank after finishing business school.