BQ Prime
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Financial news, Business news |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Founder | Raghav Bahl |
| Fate | Acquired by Adani Media Ventures Pvt. Ltd. in 2022; merged with NDTV Profit in 2023 |
| Headquarters | India |
Area served | India |
| Products | Financial and business news coverage, digital live streaming, WhatsApp news updates |
| Owner | Adani Media Ventures Pvt. Ltd. |
BQ Prime, previously known as BloombergQuint, was an Indian financial and business news entity launched in 2016 through a collaboration between Bloomberg News and Quintillion Media. In 2022, it was acquired by Adani Media Ventures Pvt. Ltd., and subsequently merged with NDTV Profit of NDTV, under the Adani Group, in December 2023. The platform specialized in coverage of the Indian economy, global finance, corporate governance, business law, and related news.
Within half a year of its debut, the website attracted one million monthly visitors and announced intentions to launch a free-to-air television channel. By July 2017, the digital video analytics company Vidooly ranked BloombergQuint as the ninth leading news brand among emerging digital publishers. In September 2017, it rolled out a digital live streaming service available on its website, the Bloomberg Terminal, and social media channels, delivering daily live broadcasts from both international and domestic markets.
In November 2017, BloombergQuint introduced a WhatsApp-based news update service and collaborated with NASSCOM, T-Hub, and the Karnataka government to initiate 'ScaleUP', a program aimed at fostering growth for startups and emerging enterprises.
History
Raghav Bahl, who founded and formerly served as managing director of Network 18, established Quintillion Media alongside his wife Ritu Kapur within six months after departing Network18 in July 2014. Subsequently, he partnered with Bloomberg L.P. to create BloombergQuint, encompassing a digital platform and television channel, with Bahl owning 74% equity and Bloomberg holding 26%. This joint venture was designed to last for a decade.
The ScaleUp initiative was launched through a partnership involving NASSCOM, T-Hub, and the Government of Karnataka, aimed at supporting startups and emerging businesses. Somdutta Singh, co-chair of the NASSCOM Product Council, took on the role of Chief Strategic Advisor for this program.
On 5 May 2022, the organization underwent rebranding from BloombergQuint to BQ Prime.
TV channel
Although initially focused on digital media, BloombergQuint encountered difficulties obtaining a broadcast license from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India). In 2017, BQ acquired the Y TV license from Horizon Satellite Services Private Limited and applied to rename it BloombergQuint. Nevertheless, by 2020, the company discontinued its broadcast operations after writing off Rs 200 crores. Continued licensing challenges led to the dissolution of the partnership between Bloomberg and Quint by 2022. Bloomberg is currently exploring new Indian partnerships for its third market entry attempt.