Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has confirmed Gaurav Banerjee as its new managing director and CEO. He’ll take the reins on or earlier than Aug. 26, pending approvals.
Banerjee will step into the sneakers of N.P. Singh, who’s signing off after a 25-year run on the firm. Singh will transfer into the position of non-executive chair to help the transition by way of the top of the monetary 12 months.
A content material veteran with over 20 years within the enterprise, Banerjee comes from Disney’s India arm, the place he wore a number of hats together with head of content material for Hindi-language leisure and Disney+ Hotstar. His observe file boasts hits like “Anupama” and “Imlie,” plus streaming successes such because the Emmy-nominated “Aarya.”
Banerjee lower his enamel as a producer and anchor on the Aaj Tak information channel earlier than shifting to Star Information. He’s armed with a grasp’s in filmmaking from Jamia Milia Islamia and a historical past diploma from St. Stephens, Delhi.
Banerjee mentioned: “Beneath N.P. Singh‘s outstanding management, SPNI has achieved great success and innovation within the leisure trade. I’m excited to steer proficient groups as we discover new frontiers in authentic programming, improve our viewers’ experiences, drive our distribution footprint throughout India, and considerably increase our revenues. Collectively, we’ll set new benchmarks in leisure and ship distinctive worth to our audiences and stakeholders.”
Singh added: “I’m immensely happy with the success and innovation SPNI has achieved. I’m assured that Gaurav will elevate SPNI’s spectacular portfolio to new heights. His visionary method will undoubtedly proceed our legacy of excellence and creativity. I stay up for supporting him and our proficient group as we additional our influence in content material creation, viewers engagement, and digital media initiatives. And most significantly, I want to thank the complete SPNI group for being the fulcrum of our progress and success.”
Ravi Ahuja, chair of World Tv Studios and president and COO of Sony Footage Leisure, mentioned: “N.P. Singh’s management has been instrumental in shaping SPNI into the powerhouse it’s in the present day. I’m assured that Gaurav Banerjee, together with his confirmed observe file and visionary method, will proceed to drive SPNI’s success. Gaurav’s experience in content material creation and strategic management will undoubtedly lead SPNI into an thrilling new chapter of progress and achievement. We’re thrilled to have him on the helm and stay up for the continued success of SPNI below his management.”
The transfer comes only a few months after the collapse of Sony’s beforehand amicable deal to merge its Indian movie, TV and streaming companies with these of Zee Leisure Enterprises (ZEEL). Had the deal gone by way of, it might have led to the institution of a giant, content-rich new participant within the TV and streaming house which will have been capable of compete strongly with the rising colossus of Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries and its Viacom18-JioCinema nexus.
The merger deal had been in negotiations for greater than two years. It formally began in December 2021, gained crucial regulatory approvals alongside the way in which, however ended acrimoniously in Jan. 2024 when Sony walked away.
Sony mentioned on the time that sure situations had not been met. Each events at the moment are in search of monetary recompense from the opposite.
Regardless of the collapse of the merger, Sony has put important emphasis on growth in India, a youth-driven and increasing market, which in some ways is the alternative of its native Japan. Singh was considered a protected pair of fingers and was anticipated by many within the trade to supervise Sony’s subsequent progress steps within the nation. He was a featured speaker at Sony Group Company’s annual technique presentation in 2023.
