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National Media Group announces the signing of cooperation agreements with three of India’s largest media companies. These include India's largest state-owned television and radio broadcaster Prasar Bharati, South Asia's leading multimedia news agency Asian News International (ANI, India) and Indian media group TV9 Network (Associated Broadcasting Company Private Limited). The signing took place during Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to India and the Russian-Indian Forum currently being held in New Delhi.
As part of the agreement with Prasar Bharati, the parties agreed to exchange and jointly produce content in the fields of culture, education, science, entertainment, sports, and news of mutual interest. The agreement with Asian News International (ANI, India) will enable both companies to systematically develop cooperation, improve the quality of international news exchange and provide audiences with broader and more objective coverage of current events in both countries. The agreement with TV9 Network provides an opportunity to develop cooperation through the exchange of media content, joint production of materials, training and internships for employees, expansion of media distribution, and utilization of the potential of the network of correspondents.
Svetlana Balanova, CEO of National Media Group:
"The centuries-old ties between India and Russia are a strong bridge connecting two great peoples through rich traditions and mutual respect. This is a solid foundation for further friendly, cultural and business cooperation. Year-over-year, NMG's content sales to India have increased nearly eightfold, and we are seeing sustained interest in Indian content among our viewers, both on TV and VOD platforms. We are already actively working in the Indian market: just recently, filming wrapped up in India for a new large‑scale show for the STS TV channel, «Secret Millionaire», which involved more than 100 Indian professionals. Collaborative work with our Indian colleagues at a new level will allow us to better understand the interests of Russian and Indian content consumers. This cooperation opens up new opportunities in media production and the exchange of experience in the context of global business transformation."
Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO of Prasar Bharati:
“The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding with National Media Group represents a significant expansion of Prasar Bharati's engagement with Russia's media ecosystem. This comprehensive partnership framework encompasses content exchange and joint production across culture, education, science, entertainment, sports, and news, creating diverse opportunities for audiences in both countries to experience each other's rich content offerings. We are particularly excited about exploring the distribution of our television and radio channels on each other's digital platforms on a reciprocal basis, which will significantly enhance our reach and accessibility. The provision of access to our PB-SHABD (Prasar Bharati Shared Audio-Visuals for Broadcast and Dissemination) news wire service will enable National Media Group to access authentic audio-visual content from India for broadcast purposes. Beyond content collaboration, this MoU establishes a robust framework for professional exchanges, training programmes, and co-production ventures that will leverage the creative and technical expertise of both organizations. This partnership exemplifies Prasar Bharati's Global Outreach vision of forging strategic international media alliances that foster cultural understanding and strengthen people-to-people connections between India and Russia.”
Mr. Sanjiv Prakash, Editor-in-Chief & CEO of ANI:
“ANI is pleased to formalize this partnership with National Media Group (NMG) at a time when India–Russia engagement continues to expand across sectors. This cooperation will strengthen our ability to deliver credible, timely, and comprehensive news to audiences in both countries. By working closely with NMG, we aim to deepen cross-cultural understanding and enhance the global flow of reliable information.”
Whole time director of TV9 Network Hemant Sharma:
“The agreement between TV9 Bharatvarsh and National Media Group will facilitate the exchange of informational content and news between the two countries. TV9 Bharatvarsh, the only global news channel broadcasting in Hindi, will help deliver Russia's perspective on world events to audiences, and will show Russian viewers India's assessment of the global news landscape. I am confident that our cooperation will be long-term and will open a new chapter in the long-standing friendship between India and Russia.”
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Background information
National Media Group is Russia’s largest private media holding. NMG manages a diversified portfolio of assets in the production, distribution, and monetization of high-quality informational and entertainment content across all types of media.
Key assets include the leaders of the Russian media market: broadcast TV channels REN TV, Channel Five, STS, Domashny, Che, STS Love, and STS Kids; the multimedia information center "Izvestia MIC” (which includes the IZ.RU portal, the "Izvestia” newspaper, the "Izvestia” TV channel, and the news services of REN TV and Channel Five); newspapers such as "Sport-Express” and "Delovoy Peterburg”, ”NMG Kinoprokat”, сompanies engaged in the production of popular films, shows and series, as well as owning technological and marketing assets. NMG also holds an equity stake in Channel One.
In 2019, NMG launched the online service more.tv, and in June 2023 completed the merger of video services more.tv and Wink as part of a joint venture with PJSC Rostelecom. In November 2022, the holding announced the creation of the film distribution company "NMG Kinoprokat.” In January 2024, NMG launched NMG DOC – a single platform for the production and distribution of non-fiction works. In April 2024, NMG and RDIF agreed to invest in the creation of a joint Сommercial fund for the development of film and animation.
According to Mediascope, by the end of 2024 NMG was the leader in terrestrial TV audience share across the entire population of Russia, with a 25% share.
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Prasar Bharati is an India’s public broadcasting company established by the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act of 1990.
The company manages a diversified portfolio of assets in radio, television and digital platforms, providing high-quality information and entertainment content to a wide audience.
Prasar Bharati’s key assets include the national radio network All India Radio (Akashvani) and the public television broadcaster Doordarshan, as well as its digital platforms — the OTT service WAVES, the NewsOnAir mobile application, and various online channels. The free-to-air satellite service DD Free Dish provides television access to remote and rural regions across India.
Prasar Bharati actively develops the production and distribution of news, documentary, and entertainment programming, maintaining editorial independence while being state-funded.
In recent years, Prasar Bharati has significantly strengthened its digital presence by introducing new services for online audiences, and it continues to play a key role in promoting national integration, democratic values, and access to reliable information for all citizens of India.
***
Asian News International (ANI) is a leading multimedia news agency with more than 100 bureaus across India, South Asia, and around the world. Founded in 1971, ANI is widely regarded as one of the world’s most respected and trusted media corporations.
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TV9 Network is one of India’s largest independent media groups, operated by Associated Broadcasting Company Private Limited (ABCPL). The network operates a diverse portfolio of television channels, digital platforms, and OTT services, delivering news and entertainment content in multiple languages to a broad audience.
TV9 Network’s key assets include the national Hindi-language channel TV9 Bharatvarsh and a range of regional channels — TV9 Telugu, TV9 Kannada, TV9 Marathi, TV9 Gujarati, and TV9 Bangla — as well as digital platforms such as the News9 OTT service and the multilingual financial platform Money9. Its international reach is supported through partnerships with major streaming platforms, while its strong online presence ensures access to content across all devices.
TV9 Network continues to expand its news, documentary, and entertainment production while maintaining editorial independence and high journalistic standards.
In recent years TV9 Network has significantly strengthened its digital presence by expanding its multilingual online services and OTT platforms, further consolidating its position as one of India’s leading news networks and providing audiences with reliable information and timely coverage at both regional and national levels.
As part of the agreement with Prasar Bharati, the parties agreed to exchange and jointly produce content in the fields of culture, education, science, entertainment, sports, and news of mutual interest. The agreement with Asian News International (ANI, India) will enable both companies to systematically develop cooperation, improve the quality of international news exchange and provide audiences with broader and more objective coverage of current events in both countries. The agreement with TV9 Network provides an opportunity to develop cooperation through the exchange of media content, joint production of materials, training and internships for employees, expansion of media distribution, and utilization of the potential of the network of correspondents.
Svetlana Balanova, CEO of National Media Group:
"The centuries-old ties between India and Russia are a strong bridge connecting two great peoples through rich traditions and mutual respect. This is a solid foundation for further friendly, cultural and business cooperation. Year-over-year, NMG's content sales to India have increased nearly eightfold, and we are seeing sustained interest in Indian content among our viewers, both on TV and VOD platforms. We are already actively working in the Indian market: just recently, filming wrapped up in India for a new large‑scale show for the STS TV channel, «Secret Millionaire», which involved more than 100 Indian professionals. Collaborative work with our Indian colleagues at a new level will allow us to better understand the interests of Russian and Indian content consumers. This cooperation opens up new opportunities in media production and the exchange of experience in the context of global business transformation."
Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO of Prasar Bharati:
“The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding with National Media Group represents a significant expansion of Prasar Bharati's engagement with Russia's media ecosystem. This comprehensive partnership framework encompasses content exchange and joint production across culture, education, science, entertainment, sports, and news, creating diverse opportunities for audiences in both countries to experience each other's rich content offerings. We are particularly excited about exploring the distribution of our television and radio channels on each other's digital platforms on a reciprocal basis, which will significantly enhance our reach and accessibility. The provision of access to our PB-SHABD (Prasar Bharati Shared Audio-Visuals for Broadcast and Dissemination) news wire service will enable National Media Group to access authentic audio-visual content from India for broadcast purposes. Beyond content collaboration, this MoU establishes a robust framework for professional exchanges, training programmes, and co-production ventures that will leverage the creative and technical expertise of both organizations. This partnership exemplifies Prasar Bharati's Global Outreach vision of forging strategic international media alliances that foster cultural understanding and strengthen people-to-people connections between India and Russia.”
Mr. Sanjiv Prakash, Editor-in-Chief & CEO of ANI:
“ANI is pleased to formalize this partnership with National Media Group (NMG) at a time when India–Russia engagement continues to expand across sectors. This cooperation will strengthen our ability to deliver credible, timely, and comprehensive news to audiences in both countries. By working closely with NMG, we aim to deepen cross-cultural understanding and enhance the global flow of reliable information.”
Whole time director of TV9 Network Hemant Sharma:
“The agreement between TV9 Bharatvarsh and National Media Group will facilitate the exchange of informational content and news between the two countries. TV9 Bharatvarsh, the only global news channel broadcasting in Hindi, will help deliver Russia's perspective on world events to audiences, and will show Russian viewers India's assessment of the global news landscape. I am confident that our cooperation will be long-term and will open a new chapter in the long-standing friendship between India and Russia.”
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Background information
National Media Group is Russia’s largest private media holding. NMG manages a diversified portfolio of assets in the production, distribution, and monetization of high-quality informational and entertainment content across all types of media.
Key assets include the leaders of the Russian media market: broadcast TV channels REN TV, Channel Five, STS, Domashny, Che, STS Love, and STS Kids; the multimedia information center "Izvestia MIC” (which includes the IZ.RU portal, the "Izvestia” newspaper, the "Izvestia” TV channel, and the news services of REN TV and Channel Five); newspapers such as "Sport-Express” and "Delovoy Peterburg”, ”NMG Kinoprokat”, сompanies engaged in the production of popular films, shows and series, as well as owning technological and marketing assets. NMG also holds an equity stake in Channel One.
In 2019, NMG launched the online service more.tv, and in June 2023 completed the merger of video services more.tv and Wink as part of a joint venture with PJSC Rostelecom. In November 2022, the holding announced the creation of the film distribution company "NMG Kinoprokat.” In January 2024, NMG launched NMG DOC – a single platform for the production and distribution of non-fiction works. In April 2024, NMG and RDIF agreed to invest in the creation of a joint Сommercial fund for the development of film and animation.
According to Mediascope, by the end of 2024 NMG was the leader in terrestrial TV audience share across the entire population of Russia, with a 25% share.
***
Prasar Bharati is an India’s public broadcasting company established by the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act of 1990.
The company manages a diversified portfolio of assets in radio, television and digital platforms, providing high-quality information and entertainment content to a wide audience.
Prasar Bharati’s key assets include the national radio network All India Radio (Akashvani) and the public television broadcaster Doordarshan, as well as its digital platforms — the OTT service WAVES, the NewsOnAir mobile application, and various online channels. The free-to-air satellite service DD Free Dish provides television access to remote and rural regions across India.
Prasar Bharati actively develops the production and distribution of news, documentary, and entertainment programming, maintaining editorial independence while being state-funded.
In recent years, Prasar Bharati has significantly strengthened its digital presence by introducing new services for online audiences, and it continues to play a key role in promoting national integration, democratic values, and access to reliable information for all citizens of India.
***
Asian News International (ANI) is a leading multimedia news agency with more than 100 bureaus across India, South Asia, and around the world. Founded in 1971, ANI is widely regarded as one of the world’s most respected and trusted media corporations.
***
TV9 Network is one of India’s largest independent media groups, operated by Associated Broadcasting Company Private Limited (ABCPL). The network operates a diverse portfolio of television channels, digital platforms, and OTT services, delivering news and entertainment content in multiple languages to a broad audience.
TV9 Network’s key assets include the national Hindi-language channel TV9 Bharatvarsh and a range of regional channels — TV9 Telugu, TV9 Kannada, TV9 Marathi, TV9 Gujarati, and TV9 Bangla — as well as digital platforms such as the News9 OTT service and the multilingual financial platform Money9. Its international reach is supported through partnerships with major streaming platforms, while its strong online presence ensures access to content across all devices.
TV9 Network continues to expand its news, documentary, and entertainment production while maintaining editorial independence and high journalistic standards.
In recent years TV9 Network has significantly strengthened its digital presence by expanding its multilingual online services and OTT platforms, further consolidating its position as one of India’s leading news networks and providing audiences with reliable information and timely coverage at both regional and national levels.