He is the envy to the competitors. But for the Indian youngsters aspiring to carve a niche in the world of the electronic media, he is an idol. And for millions of television viewers he is no less than a heart-throb. An economist to the core, Dr. Prannoy Roy dabbled in Psephology before hitting the big time in Indian television in the 80s. Doyen of the Indian television, Roy, Chairman and Wholetime Director of the New Delhi Television (NDTV) needs no introduction for the Indian viewers.

He is one of the leading psephologists and political analysts in India. Recipient of the prestigious Leverhulme fellowship for his Doctorate and a scholarship to study at the Haileybury, Roy has a doctorate in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics. His illustrious career can be gauged from the fact that he got the Bachelors’ degree in Economics from the Queen Mary College, London University and Chartered Accountancy from London. Former Adviser to Finance Ministry, Govt. of India and non-official Director of Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), Roy played a long innings off the screen as well. He has been involved with the television media since 1980 as a commentator on elections and from 1984 as one of the premier anchor persons in India in terms of credibility, analytical depth and presentational quality.

A well-known psephologist, Roy ventured into the visual medium at a time when few ventured into it and at once earned respect with his famous news programme, The World This Week, broadcast on Doordarshan's national network. For the Indian viewers, long fed on drab national news dished out by Doordarshan, it was the first exposure to world affairs. Roy came a long way from that half hour programme to a full-fledged news company – New Delhi Television (NDTV). However, the road to success was not without the bumps.

He is the pioneer of the private news channels in India. The competition notwithstanding, Roy has managed to maintain exacting standards and professionalism. Today, his NDTV has three news channels to its credit: NDTV India (Hindi), NDTV 24X7 and NDTV Profit. Today, he turned NDTV into a true blue chip TV company.

He received Lifetime Achievement Honour in Indian Television's Indian Telly Awards in November 2002. Other prizes won by him include Priyadarshini Academy Bombay (1990), Dynasty Culture Club Hall of Fame award for Best Anchor Person in 1991; Indian Dance theatre “Best Personality of the Year” award (1998); Screen Videocon Award for “Lifetime Achievement” awarded in 1998; Ernst & Young - Entrepreneur of the year award (Media) etc. Indeed, he is the big showman both on and off the screen inspiring thousands of young aspirants!