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
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