As we begin the New Year, we spoke to industry leaders to reflect on the shifts that shaped 2025 and the forces expected to define 2026. For Yatish Mehrishi, CEO of Entertainment Network India Limited (Radio Mirchi), the message is clear: radio’s enduring strength lies in its ability to adapt, evolve and deliver tangible value in an increasingly outcome-driven media ecosystem.
In 2025, the radio industry continued its steady evolution alongside broader changes in media consumption. As audiences increasingly moved fluidly between platforms, radio strengthened its role as a high-frequency, high-trust medium with deep local relevance. Broadcasters sharpened their focus on integrated offerings, combining on-air strength with digital extensions, branded content and experiential formats. For advertisers, radio remained a dependable medium—one that consistently delivered engagement while adapting to newer expectations around measurability and solutions.
For Yatish Mehrishi, the biggest shift is not about scale alone, but about value creation. As audio consumption expands across platforms, radio is being re-evaluated through the lens of impact, effectiveness, and innovation. He believes the momentum going into 2026 will be driven by diversified revenue streams, solution-led partnerships, and fresh formats that blend radio’s mass appeal with digital-era storytelling—ensuring the medium stands out in a crowded attention economy.
Summing up both the challenge and the opportunity ahead, Mehrishi puts it succinctly, “Radio has always been resilient, but this year tested the whole media industry. The biggest trend is clear: audio is being valued for outcomes, not just reach. In 2026, momentum will come from three areas: diversified revenue streams, solution-led partnerships, and fresh formats that combine radio’s scale with digital-era storytelling to stand out in a crowded attention economy.”
(As told to Pritha Pahari)
