Rahul Shaw, one of the most respected names in the Indian media industry, has officially stepped down from his long-standing role at the India Today Group (ITG) after serving the organization for more than 13 years. His departure marks the end of a defining era in Indian broadcast and audio journalism. Shaw’s last day with the media house was on June 21, 2025, and his exit has sparked discussions across the industry about what his next big move will be.
Media insiders suggest that Rahul Shaw is likely to join NDTV in a senior leadership role, though an official announcement from either side is still awaited. His transition comes at a time when the Indian media ecosystem is undergoing significant changes, with digital media, hybrid formats, and experiential content becoming more central to audience engagement.
From CEO to Head of Experiential Content: Shaw’s Evolution at ITG
During his tenure, Shaw rose through the ranks to become the CEO – Television & Radio at TV Today Network Ltd., where he was responsible for overseeing some of the biggest broadcast properties in India, including Aaj Tak, India Today TV, and Ishq FM. His leadership helped shape the content strategy, business model, and digital transformation of these platforms.
In a surprising move, Rahul Shaw stepped down from his CEO role on May 14, 2025. However, the very next day, he took charge of a newly formed vertical under the Group’s umbrella—Stage Aaj Tak, which marked India Today’s entry into the experiential content domain. He was appointed as Head of Stage, indicating the trust and confidence the organization continued to place in his capabilities.
Stage Aaj Tak quickly became a talking point in the media space, thanks to its unique blend of live events, pop culture, and journalism. Under Shaw’s guidance, the platform kicked off with a high-voltage 10-city national tour featuring rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh, where music met conversation in a new-age format designed for urban and digital-savvy audiences. His ability to merge live audience experiences with digital amplification made Stage Aaj Tak a fresh and innovative property in Indian media.
A Visionary with a 360-Degree Understanding of Media
What sets Rahul Shaw apart from many of his contemporaries is his 360-degree understanding of the media and communication ecosystem. He has worked across platforms—television, FM radio, digital, and live events—giving him a holistic perspective on content creation, audience behavior, and monetization models.
Shaw is known for his deep understanding of client expectations, agency ecosystems, and brand strategies, which has made him a favorite among advertisers and marketing partners. He has a sharp sense of how different platforms can be leveraged to deliver value—not just in terms of content performance, but also in building long-term brand trust and loyalty.
Industry experts believe that this vast experience makes him the ideal candidate to lead organizations in today’s hybrid media environment, where the lines between television, digital, and on-ground content are increasingly blurred.
His Legacy at Aaj Tak, India Today TV, and Ishq FM
Over the years, Rahul Shaw’s strategic decisions played a significant role in redefining the direction of iconic brands like Aaj Tak and India Today TV. He ensured that Aaj Tak, already a household name in Hindi news, continued to remain relevant for younger audiences by adopting digital-first content formats and integrating real-time social media engagement into its broadcast cycle.
With India Today TV, Shaw led efforts to reposition the brand as a hub of issue-based journalism, anchored storytelling, and live debates that went beyond studio walls. This helped the English-language channel carve a niche for itself in a competitive market that includes both traditional broadcasters and emerging digital platforms.
In the case of Ishq FM, Shaw successfully revamped the channel’s urban connect by launching youth-centric campaigns, celebrity-driven shows, and smart brand collaborations. This helped strengthen the radio station’s brand recall, particularly among the Gen Z and millennial audiences.
His leadership across these platforms ensured not only content innovation but also consistent revenue growth and operational efficiency, making him an indispensable part of the India Today Group’s executive core.
NDTV: The Anticipated Next Chapter in Rahul Shaw’s Career
With Rahul Shaw stepping away from ITG, all eyes are now on NDTV, where he is rumored to be joining in a top-tier leadership position. NDTV, now under the ownership of the Adani Group, is in the middle of a major transformation phase. The channel has been looking to expand its content verticals and diversify its engagement strategies, both in terms of digital media and interactive storytelling.
Shaw’s expertise in experiential content, cross-platform innovation, and brand management makes him a valuable addition to NDTV’s leadership team—should the reports of his appointment prove true. His arrival is expected to bring new momentum to NDTV’s evolving content strategy, possibly including the development of live format experiences, hybrid events, and immersive journalism that can cut through the clutter of online information.
There’s also speculation that Shaw might help NDTV strengthen its position in the youth and urban content segment, similar to what he achieved at Aaj Tak and Ishq FM. Given his proven track record of launching scalable, tech-integrated content platforms, industry watchers believe this move could significantly influence NDTV’s growth trajectory in the coming months.
Industry Buzz: A Game-Changing Move
Media professionals across the country are closely tracking this career move, calling it one of the most significant leadership shifts in Indian media in recent years. One senior executive from a rival network remarked, “Rahul Shaw’s experience and standing in the industry is going to be an asset to NDTV or any organization he joins because of his understanding of clients, agencies, brand ecosystems and also his unmatched grip over various mediums including TV, digital, and experiential formats.”
This endorsement from within the industry shows the high regard in which Shaw is held, and it also underscores the growing need for leaders who can operate across disciplines and connect all elements of modern media into one unified strategy.
A Symbol of the New Age Media Executive
In many ways, Rahul Shaw represents the ideal new-age media executive—adaptive, strategic, people-centric, and future-ready. His ability to innovate while preserving editorial integrity, and to scale operations without compromising on quality, has made him one of the most influential media minds of his generation.
His career also highlights the transformation Indian media has gone through—from being largely linear and channel-centric to becoming multi-platform, content-rich, and experience-driven. Shaw’s leadership shows that traditional media is not dying—it is simply evolving into a more complex, user-first ecosystem that rewards innovation and agility.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Indian Media
Rahul Shaw’s exit from the India Today Group and his expected move to NDTV are more than just personnel changes—they are a reflection of how the Indian media landscape is shifting. As content consumption moves beyond just screens and becomes more personalized, mobile, and immersive, there is a greater need for leaders who can foresee change and act swiftly.
Shaw’s next chapter, whichever platform it unfolds on, will likely continue to influence how Indian media evolves—both in format and in philosophy. From newsrooms to live events, and from radio studios to digital-first teams, his journey shows that the future of media belongs to those who are willing to embrace the new while mastering the old.
The departure of Rahul Shaw from India Today Group closes one important chapter in Indian media but opens up an exciting new one. As the industry awaits official confirmation of his role at NDTV, there is no doubt that wherever he goes next, Shaw will continue to lead with vision, innovation, and impact. His story is not just about career transition—it is about how modern media leadership must look, think, and act in an ever-changing world.
