Vikram Chandra steps down as CEO and executive director of NDTV; K V L Narayan Rao to be the new Group CEO

Chandra was appointed as chief executive officer in 2011 for a term of three years which was further extended by two years.

New Delhi Television (NDTV) has informed the Bombay Stock Exchange that the company's Board of Directors has approved the decision of Vikramaditya Chandra, better known as Vikram Chandra, to step down from the position of Group chief executive officer (CEO) and executive director of NDTV with immediate effect.

Chandra was appointed as Group CEO in 2011 for a term of three years which was further extended by another two years, with the specific mandate to strengthen the company's diversification into digital areas while retaining NDTV's position as the most respected media brand.

Chandra has been a member of the NDTV family since 1994, and has handled a large number of roles including that of reporter, anchor, as one of the founding members of NDTV.com, as well as the CEO. He has expressed the wish to return to full time journalism within NDTV and focus on the TV shows of the Group.

"NDTV is delighted to announce that K V L Narayan Rao, executive vice-chairperson, will be the Group CEO in addition to his current responsibilities. Rao, who has been associated with the company for nearly 22 years in various capacities including Group CEO, has been a key factor in the creation of NDTV and embodies the DNA of the organisation," announces the company in a media statement.

Rao has served three terms as the president of the News Broadcasters Association (NBA). He has also been on the Board of Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) and has been vice-president of the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association.