The Media Room
The Media Room
Podcast Description
Join Vanita Kohli-Khandekar as she takes you through a unique behind the scenes look at the inner workings and machinations of the media and entertainment business. She will speak to experts, film makers, media barons, broadcasters, publishers, platforms, media analysts, and more, to give you insights on the intersection of storytelling, money, technology and communication in this rapidly evolving space.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast explores various themes including the dynamics of the media industry, the evolution of storytelling, and the impact of technology on communication. Specific episode examples include discussions on the linearisation of streaming services featuring industry analysts, and the resilience of the newspaper industry with insights from a corporate director.
Join Vanita Kohli-Khandekar as she takes you through a unique behind the scenes look at the inner workings and machinations of the media and entertainment business. She will speak to experts, film makers, media barons, broadcasters, publishers, platforms, media analysts, and more, to give you insights on the intersection of storytelling, money, technology and communication in this rapidly evolving space.
In this episode of The Media Room, media journalist and author Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks with B. Srinivasan, Managing Director of Vikatan Group, about how one of India’s oldest and most beloved media brands continues to reinvent itself after more than a century. Srinivasan reflects on Vikatan’s evolution from its print legacy to television, digital platforms, and new ventures in events, wealth management, and election surveys. He explains why the company walked away from its 22-year partnership with Sun TV, how it adapted to the commissioned model at Star Vijay, and why holding on to IP matters in the long run. The conversation explores what it means to stay relevant when storytelling itself is being reshaped by technology, and how Vikatan is using AI to imagine new, experiential forms of content. Tune in for insights on building longevity, trust, and innovation in an era where media—and audiences—are constantly changing.
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(01:12) How Vikatan balances its print, TV, and digital businesses
(05:34) The role of awards and events in sustaining a legacy media brand
(08:15) Launching NANI: Vikatan’s move into wealth management services
(10:24) How Vikatan entered the election survey business in Tamil Nadu
(13:32) Conducting OTP-verified digital surveys across 100,000 voters
(16:25) Why Vikatan ended its 22-year partnership with Sun TV
(21:58) From owning IP to adapting to commissioned content models
(25:43) The shift from Sun TV to Star Vijay: learning new storytelling processes
(30:55) What the future holds for Vikatan at 100 — storytelling in the age of AI
(37:58) Closing thoughts
For more of our coverage check out thecore.in
Follow us on:
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.