Varun Kohli has rejoined Bharat Express as Director and Group CEO, effective September 2025. He was earlier CEO at the company from January 2023 to June 2024.
Kohli was earlier Chief Operating Officer at Times Network from June 2024 to September 2025, overseeing operations and strategic initiatives across the organization.
He had previously served as Chief Executive Officer at Bharat Express from January 2023 to June 2024, where he shaped the channel’s editorial and business strategy, laying the foundation for its brand identity and operational structure.
Prior to this, Kohli led Sporty Media Solutionz as Chief Executive Officer from April 2022 to January 2023. Under his leadership, the company managed on-ground sporting opportunities and the digital platform InsideSport.in, and he played a key role in selling Inside Sport to a leading international digital player.
From March 2017 to March 2022, Kohli served as Group CEO at iTV Network – India News & NewsX, heading ten channels. He made the network profitable, ensured top management retention, launched the Pro Wrestling League successfully, and implemented processes to drive growth and build credibility.
He was also CEO of iTV Network India News between September 2015 and March 2017, before being Chief Operating Officer & Revenue Head at the same network from February 2014 to September 2015. In these roles, Kohli provided strategic leadership, managed P&L responsibilities, increased revenue, reduced costs, and strengthened the organization’s client and agency reputation.
Kohli had served as Senior Vice President at TV18 Broadcast from October 2012 to February 2014, where he managed sales and marketing for IBN7, making the channel profitable despite challenging market conditions.
He was Executive Vice President at DNA Newspapers from September 2012 to January 2013, heading sales, operations, and MIS, and playing a central role in revenue growth and organizational restructuring.
Earlier, he worked as Chief Monetisation Officer at Mogae Media from March 2012 to September 2012, supervising monetization of Airtel’s advertising assets. He also served as Associate Publisher at Mail Today Newspapers between December 2010 and March 2012, leading revenue and operations, expanding footprints, and launching new magazine verticals.
From January 2008 to December 2010, Kohli was DGM – Language Response at Bennett Coleman & Co Ltd, where he managed language publications across North India, launched NBT NCR editions and ET Hindi profitably, and built successful brand extensions.
He held the Vice President role at Deccan Chronicle Holdings Ltd from December 2006 to January 2008, managing revenue opportunities and setting up 360° solutions for clients, and was Associate Vice President at Amar Ujala Publications from April 2003 to December 2006, where he built national marketing, advertising sales, and new revenue streams while turning around business performance.
Kohli began his career at Hindustan Times as Manager from 2000 to 2002, heading the Delhi branch and managing advertising sales.
