In an industry that has often thrived on glamour, few figures have left as deep an imprint on the business of television as Markand Navnitlal Adhikari. As he celebrates his birthday, it is worth remembering how he redefined the very economics of Indian broadcasting. Credited with pioneering sponsorship-based programming on television, Adhikari built what became India’s first publicly listed television production company in 1995, well before content creators were treated as serious boardroom entities.
From there, his instinct for timing and disruption never faltered. Spotting opportunity in the post-cable-and-satellite boom, Adhikari spearheaded SAB Group’s bold leap into broadcasting. Channels like SAB TV, Mastiii, Janmat, and Mee Marathi expanded the entertainment mix for Indian audiences, while later launches such as Dabangg, Dhamaal and Dillagi cemented his bet on Hindi regional markets.
The most high-profile chapter came in 2005, when the SAB TV brand and its related assets were sold to Sony for about $13 million, a deal that transformed the landscape and turned SAB into today’s Sony SAB.
The journey hasn’t been without headwinds, including corporate restructuring and regulatory scrutiny, but Adhikari’s imprint on the media business remains undeniable. His leadership also guided Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network Ltd. (SABTNL) to become a preferred content partner for leading Hindi GECs, and under his watch the group forayed into publishing and films to widen its portfolio.
In August 2024, Adhikari stepped down as Chairman & Managing Director of SABTNL, handing the reins to the next generation, Ravi Adhikari as Chairman (Non-Executive) and Kailasnath Adhikari as Managing Director, while assuming the role of Chairman Emeritus.
Markand Adhikari’s story continues to serve as a reminder of how foresight, risk-taking, and the courage to sell an asset at its peak can shape not just a company, but an entire industry.
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