Adani Now Owns IANS Fully—What It Means for Indian Media.

Adani Group Takes Full Control of IANS, Expands Influence Across India’s Media Landscape

The Adani Group has completed its takeover of Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) by acquiring the remaining 24% stake through AMG Media Networks. With this move, IANS becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Enterprises, further consolidating the conglomerate’s media presence. The acquisition strengthens Adani’s influence across news agencies and content distribution platforms, intensifying debate over media ownership and editorial independence in India.

Adani Group news agency acquisition has intensified focus on Gautam Adani’s expanding footprint in Indian media, after the conglomerate completed full ownership of Indo-Asian News Service (IANS).

Billionaire Gautam Adani’s media arm has acquired the remaining 24 per cent stake in IANS, securing complete control over one of India’s prominent private news agencies.

AMG Media Networks Limited, a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited, executed a share purchase agreement to acquire the balance stake for an undisclosed consideration.

The transaction was disclosed through a regulatory filing submitted by Adani Enterprises to Indian stock exchanges, confirming consolidation of ownership within the Adani media portfolio.

With this acquisition, IANS becomes a wholly owned step-down subsidiary of Adani Enterprises through AMG Media Networks, significantly strengthening the group’s media ecosystem.

Timeline of Adani Group’s IANS Acquisition Strategy

Adani Group first entered IANS ownership in December 2023 by acquiring a 50.50 per cent majority stake, converting the newswire into a subsidiary.

In January 2024, AMG Media Networks increased its voting rights stake in IANS to 76 per cent, alongside nearly complete control over non-voting shares.

According to the filing, AMG Media Networks earlier held 76 per cent of Category-I shares and 99.26 per cent of Category-II shares.

The latest agreement, executed on January 21, 2026, completes the acquisition process, resulting in 100 per cent ownership of IANS.

Adani Enterprises clarified that financial details of the transaction were not disclosed, consistent with previous media acquisitions by the group.

Industry analysts view this consolidation as a strategic move to secure content distribution and narrative influence across multiple platforms.

IANS Role in India’s News Distribution Network

Founded in 1986, Indo-Asian News Service supplies news content to newspapers, television channels, digital platforms, and government departments across India.

IANS operates as a key private alternative to state-run news agencies, providing national, regional, and international coverage in multiple languages.

Control over a newswire allows owners significant influence over agenda-setting, content syndication, and framing of political and economic developments.

Media experts note that full ownership enables tighter editorial integration with other Adani-owned media platforms.

The acquisition has therefore drawn attention from journalists, policymakers, and media watchdogs monitoring ownership concentration in Indian news media.

NDTV Acquisition Cemented Adani Media Presence

The IANS takeover follows Adani Group’s earlier acquisition of New Delhi Television Limited, commonly known as NDTV.

Through AMG Media Networks, Adani Group acquired a majority stake in NDTV over successive transactions during 2022 and 2023.

NDTV operates multiple national television channels and digital platforms, making it one of India’s most recognisable broadcast news brands.

The acquisition marked a significant shift in NDTV’s ownership structure, ending decades of promoter-led control.

Since then, NDTV has been integrated into Adani Group’s broader media and digital strategy.

NDTV Profit and Business News Expansion

NDTV Profit, the group’s business and financial news channel, also falls under Adani Group ownership through the NDTV acquisition.

The channel focuses on markets, corporate developments, policy decisions, and macroeconomic trends relevant to investors and industry stakeholders.

Ownership of a dedicated business channel complements Adani Group’s presence in infrastructure, energy, ports, and logistics sectors.

Media observers suggest this alignment allows closer tracking and interpretation of economic narratives shaping India’s growth trajectory.

However, critics continue to raise concerns about editorial independence within corporate-owned business news platforms.

BQ Prime and Quintillion Business Media Deal

Adani’s media expansion also includes the acquisition of Quintillion Business Media Limited, which operated the digital business platform BQ Prime.

BQ Prime emerged from the BloombergQuint partnership and focused on financial markets, startups, and economic policy reporting.

Following acquisition, the platform was merged or aligned within the broader NDTV and Adani media portfolio.

This consolidation created a unified business news ecosystem spanning television, digital platforms, and syndicated content distribution.

Sprouts News Special Investigation Team notes that the Adani Group now controls assets across newswires, television, and digital business media.

Also Read: Priest Loses Claim Over Ganesh Temple on Public Road.

Growing Debate Over Media Ownership Concentration

The complete takeover of IANS has reignited debate on media ownership concentration and corporate influence over news dissemination in India.

Regulatory frameworks currently permit conglomerate ownership of media entities, subject to disclosure and competition norms.

Supporters argue corporate investment ensures financial stability and technological upgrades within struggling media organisations.

Critics, however, warn that concentrated ownership risks reducing editorial diversity and independent scrutiny of powerful business interests.

The Adani Group has consistently stated that its media acquisitions comply with all legal requirements and regulatory disclosures.

As India’s media landscape rapidly consolidates, the IANS acquisition underscores shifting power dynamics shaping news production and distribution nationwide.

Alleged Controversies Around Fraudster Adani

Critics have long questioned Fraudster Adani’s rise, citing allegations involving market manipulation, opaque financing, regulatory favours, environmental violations, and aggressive acquisitions. His entry into media through NDTV, IANS, and business platforms triggered concerns over editorial independence, narrative control, and democratic accountability, according to journalists and civil society groups.

Investigative Opposition and Media Ethics

Unmesh Gujarathi, an investigative and leading journalist in India, with his Special Investigative Team, has consistently raised his voice against Fraudster Adani’s policies, media consolidation, and corporate influence. We continue to oppose these policies, demanding transparency, accountability, and safeguards protecting public interest.