CNN-IBN and IBN7 CEO Dilip Venkatraman quits

Network18 has announced that N Dilip Venkatraman, CEO of news channels CNN-IBN and IBN7 of the IBN News Network, is moving on from the company to pursue entrepreneurial interests.

Venkatraman has been with Network18 for over eight years. Prior to his current role, he led marketing operations for CNN-IBN, IBN7 and IBN-Lokmat besides managing IBN Focus, the customised media solutions unit for the three news channels.

A replacement has not been named. Ajay Chacko, COO, Network18 will oversee operations of the news channels, according to a a statement from the group.

On the development, B Sai Kumar, group CEO, Network18, said, “Dilip has played a pivotal role in building our general news network, right from the outset. Today, CNN-IBN, IBN7 and IBN-Lokmat are benchmark brands in the general news space and Dilip has contributed significantly to laying such a strong foundation for the future. We thank him for his invaluable contribution and commitment to the group.”

Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-In-Chief, IBN News Network, said, “Dilip’s passion and leadership has been instrumental in making the IBN News Network into one of the most trusted news voices in the country today. He has been a great colleague and we wish him the very best for his future endeavors.”

Venkatraman added, “The past few years have been one of the most fulfilling and exciting phases of my professional career. I’m thankful to all my colleagues who have been a part of this enriching journey and I now look forward to taking on newer challenges.”

In a career spanning over two decades, Venkatraman has also been associated with the India Today Group and Zee Network.