Top 15 Biggest Media Companies in India

India has a vibrant media industry with several companies operating in various segments such as television, print, digital, and radio. Here are some of the biggest media companies in India:

1. Zee Entertainment Enterprises: Zee Entertainment is one of the largest media and entertainment companies in India, operating in several segments including television, films, and digital content. Zee Entertainment Enterprises operates in over 171 countries, making it a global media player.
2. Star India: Star India is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company and is one of the largest media and entertainment companies in India, operating in several segments including television, digital content, and sports. Hotstar, a digital streaming platform owned by Disney India which also includes content from Star India is the most subscribed streaming service in the country.
3. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (BCCL): BCCL is the publisher of several leading newspapers in India such as The Times of India, The Economic Times, and The Navbharat Times. It also operates several television channels and digital platforms. The Times of India, published by BCCL, is one of the world’s largest-selling English-language newspapers.
4. Sun TV Network: Sun TV Network is one of the largest media and entertainment companies in South India, operating in several segments including television, films, and digital content. Sun TV is the most-watched Tamil television channel and has a massive viewership in South India. The network’s founder, Kalanithi Maran, is one of the youngest self-made billionaires in India.
5. Network18: Network18 is a media conglomerate that operates several news channels, including CNBC TV18, CNN-News18, and News18 India. It also has a presence in the digital and entertainment segments.  Network18 owns the popular news channel CNN-News18, which is a collaboration with CNN International. CNBC TV18, a part of Network18, is known for its comprehensive financial news coverage.
6. India Today Group: India Today Group is a media conglomerate that operates several leading news channels such as India Today TV, Aaj Tak, and Tez. It also publishes several magazines, including India Today, Business Today, and Cosmopolitan India.  India Today TV was the first 24-hour English news channel in India. The India Today Group also hosts the annual India Today Conclave, a prestigious event that brings together political, business, and cultural leaders.
7. Sony Pictures Networks India: Sony Pictures Networks India is a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment and operates several television channels such as Sony Entertainment Television, Sony Max, and Sony Liv.  Sony Entertainment Television has produced several successful Indian television shows, including “Kaun Banega Crorepati” hosted by Amitabh Bachchan  The Kapil Sharma Show and Crime Patrol. Sony Liv, the digital platform, offers a wide range of content, including live sports streaming.
8. Viacom18: Viacom18 is a joint venture between ViacomCBS and Network18 and operates several television channels such as MTV India, Colors, and Nickelodeon India. It also has a presence in the digital and film segments. In the 90s,  Viacom18 launched the youth-centric channel MTV India, which has been a trendsetter in Indian television. Colors, a Viacom18 channel, has produced popular reality shows like “Bigg Boss” and “Khatron Ke Khiladi.”
9. The Hindu Group: The Hindu Group is a media conglomerate that publishes several leading newspapers such as The Hindu, The Hindu BusinessLine, and The Hindu Tamil. It also operates several digital platforms. The Hindu, one of the oldest newspapers in India, is known for its editorial independence and quality journalism.The Hindu’s publishing history dates back to 1878.
10. Eenadu Television: Eenadu Television is a part of the Ramoji Group and operates several television channels such as ETV Telugu, ETV Bihar, and ETV Haryana. ETV Telugu, part of the Eenadu Television network, is one of the leading Telugu-language channels in India. Ramoji Film City, also owned by the Ramoji Group, is one of the largest film studio complexes in the world.
11. NDTV: NDTV is a media company that operates several news channels such as NDTV 24×7, NDTV India, and NDTV Profit. It also has a presence in the digital and entertainment segments.  NDTV was the first Indian news channel to go live on the internet in 1999. The channel has received several awards for its journalism, including the prestigious Padma Bhushan for its founders.
12. ABP Group: ABP Group is a media conglomerate that publishes several leading newspapers such as Anandabazar Patrika, The Telegraph, and Ebela. It also operates several news channels and digital platforms.  Anandabazar Patrika, published by the ABP Group, is one of the oldest Bengali-language newspapers, founded in 1922. Ebela, another publication of the group, is known for its innovative and youth-oriented content.
13. Mathrubhumi Group: Mathrubhumi Group is a media conglomerate that operates several leading newspapers in South India such as Mathrubhumi, Malayala Manorama, and Deshabhimani. It also has a presence in the digital and entertainment segments.  Mathrubhumi, founded in 1923, is one of the most widely circulated Malayalam-language newspapers. Malayala Manorama, another major publication, is one of the largest circulated newspapers in India.
14. TV Today Network: TV Today Network is a media company that operates several news channels such as Aaj Tak, India Today TV, and Tez. It also has a presence in the digital and entertainment segments. Aaj Tak, one of TV Today Network’s channels, has consistently been the most-watched Hindi news channel in India. India Today TV is known for its in-depth analysis and political coverage.
15. The New Indian Express Group: The New Indian Express Group is a media conglomerate that operates several leading newspapers such as The New Indian Express, Dinamani, and Kannada Prabha. It also has a presence in the digital and entertainment segments. The New Indian Express, founded in 1932, is known for its fearless and unbiased journalism.  The newspaper has a significant presence in South India and also publishes in other regional languages.