NDTV has named Akhil Bhalla as Product Head – Live & Connected TV, where he will steer the network’s connected devices strategy across India and international markets.
In this role, Bhalla will shape product direction for Live and Connected TV initiatives, focusing on building scalable, high-engagement experiences across platforms. The mandate spans product, content, technology, and monetisation, with priorities including watch time, engagement, AVOD-led growth, editorial integrity, and content moderation.
Bhalla brings extensive experience across streaming, broadcasting, and digital news. His background includes roles at the BBC, Reuters, and VOA, as well as deep involvement in OTT functions covering product, content, data, legal, and revenue strategy.
Before joining NDTV, Bhalla served as AVP at JioHotstar (formerly Disney+ Hotstar) from October 2017 to May 2023, playing a key role in building the platform’s news ecosystem. He oversaw the aggregation of over 45 national and regional news channels, integrating live news, clips, and VOD with targeted notifications to improve discovery and engagement.
Earlier, he was Editor (Output) at Zee News in 2013 and spent over a decade at Aaj Tak between 2000 and 2012, handling output, anchor management, and coordination with ad-sales teams.
Bhalla is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication and Delhi University.