Sony Pictures Networks India Refreshes Leadership Team Following Recent Review
Sony Pictures Networks India Restructures Leadership Team Amid Strategic Review
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has initiated a significant restructuring of its leadership team following an extensive operational review and recent changes at the executive level. This move aims to align SPNI’s television channels more closely with its streaming platform, Sony LIV, and to enhance operational control across various business segments.
As part of this restructuring, key appointments have been made. Nachiket Pantvaidya is set to take the helm of Sony Entertainment Television (SET), Sony Marathi, and the movie production division. Ajay Bhalwankar will oversee Sony SAB, the movies cluster, free-to-air channels, and infotainment channels, while Rajaraman Sundaram will lead the company’s expansion efforts in southern India.
Additionally, a new head for SPNI’s digital business is expected to be announced shortly. This follows the exit of Danish Khan, who has served as the head of SonyLIV and Studio NEXT, with his departure slated for next month. In the meantime, Gaurav Banerjee, SPNI’s Managing Director and CEO, will temporarily lead the digital division.
Khan’s impending departure marks one of several high-profile exits at Sony’s Indian operations in the past year. In further developments, Ambesh Tiwari will manage the Bengali-language channel Sony AATH and the children’s segment, while Rajesh Kaul has been appointed Chief Revenue Officer, a role that grants him oversight of international operations.
In line with this restructuring, several key personnel have been promoted. Akshay Agrawal has become Head of Linear Ad Sales, Makarand Palekar will assume the role of Head of Linear Distribution, and Ranjana Mangla, who oversees digital ad sales, will also be responsible for YouTube strategy. Manish Aggarwal is now tasked with leading Sony LIV’s B2B and syndication business, all reporting to Kaul.
Banerjee emphasized that these changes stem from a review of the operating model. “We are redefining our content strategy from a largely linear-first to a linear and digital approach that delivers seamless consumer experience across platforms,” he stated. “By empowering our teams with greater ownership and driving deeper collaboration, we will improve focus, agility, and execution across the organization, while strengthening our customer-centric approach across brand and content.”
The restructuring aims to grant individual programming leaders full ownership of content strategy, programming, marketing, and on-air promotions across both linear and digital platforms. Furthermore, the sales strategy will seek to unify monetization efforts, consolidating ad sales and distribution across various channels, including sports and international divisions.
SPNI is a subsidiary of Culver Max Entertainment, which is ultimately owned by Sony Corporation in Japan. The Indian arm includes a comprehensive portfolio of 28 channels, among them Sony Entertainment Television and Sony SAB, alongside a suite of sports networks, the streaming service Sony LIV, and production company Studio NEXT.
