Kantipur Media Group
Kantipur Media Group (KMG) is a Nepali media group that grew out of Kantipur Publications, founded in 1993; its outlets include the Nepali-language daily Kantipur, the English daily The Kathmandu PostThe Kathmandu PostThe Kathmandu Post is an English-language daily newspaper in Nepal, launched in February 1993 and published by Kantipur Media Group; it describes itself as Nepal’s first private-run English-language broadsheet.Open the full entry, Radio Kantipur and Kantipur Television, and it calls itself Nepal’s largest media conglomerate.
Contents14 sections
Key facts
1993Kantipur Publications Founded
In 1993, shortly after Nepal restored multiparty democracy, the group was established; it says it was the first media house to deliver a newspaper to readers’ doorsteps before morning tea.[1]
Kantipur Publications has published the Nepali-language daily Kantipur since 1993, which the group calls Nepal’s most widely read Nepali-language newspaper; in its early years it also launched Saptahik, Nepal’s first entertainment tabloid.[2]
1995Launches Radio Kantipur
In 1995 the group launched Radio Kantipur, which it describes as Nepal’s first private radio station.[1]
October 1998Radio Kantipur Begins Independent Broadcasting
For about three years until October 1998, Radio Kantipur bought a three-hour daily slot on the national service of Radio Nepal; after obtaining a licence to broadcast independently it became the country’s first commercial radio channel, and it says it reaches 75% of Nepal.[3]
July 2003Kantipur Television Goes on Air
Kantipur Television launched in July 2003 as one of Nepal’s first privately owned channels, starting with a seven-hour daily regional broadcast for the Kathmandu Valley.[4]
2005State of Emergency and Media Ordinance
Within weeks of the February 1, 2005 state of emergency, Kantipur Group newspapers and some weeklies began resisting press restrictions. A media ordinance promulgated that October placed limits on ownership that, in CPJ’s view, seemed specifically to target Kantipur, the nation’s largest media group.[5]
2014Establishes the Kantipur Foundation
In 2014 the group established the Kantipur Foundation, which coordinates humanitarian relief during natural disasters, including the 2015 earthquake.[1]
2021Launches Kantipur Max HD
In 2021 the group launched the sports and entertainment channel Kantipur Max HD, with two HD streams carrying the ICC T20 World CupFIFA World CupThe FIFA World Cup is FIFA’s men’s national-team football tournament, held every four years.Open the full entry, the English Premier League, the Indian Premier League and Wimbledon with Nepali-language commentary.[6]
November 30, 2022Kathmandu Gorkhas Withdraw From the Nepal T20 League
On November 30, 2022, the group-owned team Kathmandu Gorkhas pulled out of the Nepal T20 League less than two weeks before the first game; the tournament was due to run from December 11 to 31.[7]
May 21, 2024Chairman Arrested
On May 21, 2024, the group’s head, Kailash SirohiyaKailash SirohiyaKailash Sirohiya is a Nepali media executive and chairman of Kantipur Media Group. In 2001, as managing director of Kantipur Publications, he was arrested and faced sedition charges over an article in the group’s newspaper; in 2024 he was arrested over a complaint alleging multiple citizenships and released after nine days.Open the full entry, was arrested at his Kathmandu office after a complaint lodged with Dhanusha district police over a citizenship card issue.[8]
2025Launches Kantipur Neo
2025Targeted During Protests
During pro-monarchy protests in March 2025 Kantipur’s offices were hit by stones. On September 9, during the Gen Z protests, its office building was set on fire, stopping the Kantipur television broadcast, and staff worked from home to keep its social media channels updated.[11]
On September 9 a mob rushed into the Kantipur TV building, set fire to three buildings on its premises and torched two dozen motorbikes and more than a dozen cars.[12]
As of October 2026: Leadership
As of October 2026 the group’s chairman is Kailash Sirohiya, its director Swastika Sirohiya, its CEO Mahesh Swar and its group editorial director Anup Kaphle; Gokarna Raj Awasthi is editor-in-chief of the Kantipur daily.[13]
Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts
Kantipur Media Group: Official website: https://kmg.com.np/ (opens in a new window)[10]
LinkedInLinkedInLinkedIn is a social networking platform for professionals. It was founded in 2002 by Reid Hoffman and others, launched in 2003, and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2011; after Microsoft acquired it for approximately $26.2 billion in 2016, it became a wholly owned Microsoft subsidiary. Its revenue comes from membership subscriptions, advertising, and recruitment solutions.Open the full entry: Official account: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kantipur-media-group/ (opens in a new window)[10]
The Kathmandu Post: Official website: https://kathmandupost.com/ (opens in a new window)[10]
Sources
- About - Kantipur Media Group (opens in a new window)
- Kantipur Publications (opens in a new window)
- About Radio Kantipur Team - Radio Kantipur (opens in a new window)
- Kantipur Television - Kantipur Media Group (opens in a new window)
- Attacks on the Press 2005: Nepal (opens in a new window)
- Kantipur Max HD - Kantipur Media Group (opens in a new window)
- Nepal T20 League: Katmandu Gurkhas pull out of tournament (opens in a new window)
- Nepal media group chief arrested over citizenship card issue (opens in a new window)
- Kantipur Neo - Kantipur Media Group (opens in a new window)
- Kantipur Media Group (opens in a new window)
- Nepali Journalists Trapped Between “GenZ” Protest and State Crackdowns (opens in a new window)
- The day Kathmandu burned (opens in a new window)
- Leadership - Kantipur Media Group (opens in a new window)