GECs

SPNI set to undertake leadership realignment as part of long-term transformation

Published

4 weeks ago

January 9, 2026

MUMBAI : Even as market speculation continues around workforce changes at Sony Pictures Networks India, the company’s internal focus remains on aligning its leadership structure with evolving business priorities and long-term transformation, according to people familiar with the matter.

Sony Pictures Networks India, which now operates under the Culver Max Entertainment brand, is in the process of reviewing its leadership framework to better support its content, digital and multi-language ambitions. The exercise, expected to progress over the coming weeks, is part of a broader effort to ensure organisational agility in a rapidly changing media landscape.

People aware of the discussions said the review is focused on sharpening decision-making, improving cross-platform integration and strengthening accountability across key business verticals. Any changes, they added, are being evaluated in the context of long-term strategy rather than short-term cost actions.

“This is about ensuring the organisation is structured for the future,” said one person familiar with the company’s thinking. “The emphasis is on clarity of roles, speed of execution and aligning leadership capabilities with where consumption and content creation are headed.”

Media reports earlier this week suggested that SPNI could reduce its workforce by around 10 per cent following a Boston Consulting Group-led internal audit of its television and digital operations. While the company has not commented publicly on specific numbers, sources stressed that any impact on headcount must be seen in the context of broader structural change rather than standalone layoffs.

According to those in the know, the review is aimed at reducing overlaps, streamlining leadership bandwidth and ensuring sharper alignment between linear television and digital platforms, including SonyLIV, in response to changing audience behaviour.

“There may be role realignments as responsibilities evolve,” said another person familiar with the process. “But this is also about building capabilities in areas that are critical to future growth.”

The leadership evaluation is being undertaken under the stewardship of Gaurav Banerjee, chief executive officer and managing director, as the company navigates an industry environment marked by shifting consumption patterns, rising content investments and intensifying competition across television and digital platforms.

SPNI runs 28 television channels across languages and genres and operates SonyLIV, a key pillar of its digital ambitions. In FY24, the network reported revenue of Rs 6,511 crore and net profit of Rs 840 crore, with subscription income continuing to outpace advertising. Yet competition in sports, general entertainment and streaming originals has made capital allocation increasingly unforgiving.

People close to the company emphasised that the current review is designed to strengthen the organisation for the years ahead. “The focus is on what the business needs to look like over the next few years,” said one executive. “That means aligning leadership structures with long-term priorities and building the right capabilities for the future.”

As the industry watches closely, the coming weeks are likely to bring clarity on how SPNI balances change with continuity. For now, those close to the company insist the message is simple. This is about transformation, not retreat, and about building for what comes next, not cutting back on ambition.

Workforce rationalisation has become a recurring feature across the media and entertainment sector as companies reshape organisations to align with evolving business priorities. Zee carried out a round of layoffs last month, while Jio undertook workforce changes last year as it restructured parts of its media and digital operations. In that context, Sony’s exercise is seen as part of a broader industry-wide realignment rather than an isolated move.

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GECs

Aparna Ramachandran joins Zee as EVP and head of network digital

Published

5 days ago

January 29, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited has appointed Aparna Ramachandran as EVP and head of network digital, signalling a sharper focus on strengthening its digital and streaming ecosystem.

Ramachandran joins Zee from Balaji Telefilms, where she served as head of digital originals, leading content strategy and production for the company’s digital platforms. She announced the move on LinkedIn, marking a new chapter in her career spanning more than 15 years across media, entertainment and technology.

Her professional journey includes senior roles at Viacom18 Media, Viu, FremantleMedia, Miditech, BigSynergy, BBC Worldwide, CNBC-TV18 and Bloomberg UTV. She began her career in 2005 as a software engineer at Infosys before transitioning into media and digital content leadership.

With experience across streaming media, broadcast television, content development, digital strategy, project management and video production, Ramachandran is expected to play a key role in shaping Zee’s network-wide digital growth and content innovation.

GECs

Zee TV launches on Samsung TV Plus with live German subtitles

Published

7 days ago

January 27, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

London: Zee Entertainment has launched its flagship Zee TV as a live FAST channel on Samsung TV Plus across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, marking a first for South Asian television in Europe with round-the-clock live German subtitles.

The move takes Zee TV beyond its core diaspora audience and into the German-speaking mainstream, offering dramas, reality shows and family entertainment without subscriptions or language barriers. For FAST platforms, it sets a new benchmark in accessibility and scale.

Amit Goenka, president, international and digital businesses at Zee Entertainment, said the launch marked a turning point in the company’s global strategy.

“Zee TV Germany is a flagship launch and a defining moment in our journey to make entertainment truly borderless. By going live on Samsung TV Plus with 24/7 German subtitles, we are breaking language barriers and setting a new international benchmark for FAST streaming,” he said, adding that the partnership reflects Zee’s ambition to lead the FAST revolution through innovation and technology.

The rollout builds on the strong regional presence of Zee One and Zee5, both of which have cultivated loyal audiences across the DACH markets. The live FAST model now closes long-standing access gaps, particularly for younger diaspora viewers and first-time German-speaking audiences.

Samsung TV Plus said the partnership deepens its content portfolio in the region. Benedict Frey, country lead DACH and Benelux at Samsung TV Plus, said the addition strengthens its South Asian offering while widening appeal.
“Launching flagship Zee TV on Samsung TV Plus brings even more premium South Asian entertainment to our customers. Making this content available with live German subtitles is a meaningful step in serving diverse audiences and enriching the viewing experience,” he said.

Samsung TV Plus is Samsung’s free ad-supported streaming service, offering hundreds of live channels and on-demand titles across Samsung TVs, Galaxy devices and smart monitors.

Zee already commands a strong digital following across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with social platforms engaging hundreds of thousands of viewers. The live FAST launch is expected to amplify reach and drive appointment viewing at scale.

Zee TV is now available exclusively on Samsung TV Plus in Germany on channel 4210. With this launch, Zee TV Germany becomes the group’s ninth channel in Europe.

The signal is clear: FAST has gone mainstream—and Zee has arrived early, translated and ready to scale.

GECs

Sri Adhikari Brothers officially rebrands itself as Aqylon Nexus

Published

7 days ago

January 27, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network has formally adopted a new corporate identity, rechristening itself Aqylon Nexus Limited after receiving clearance from the ministry of corporate affairs.

The company has informed the Bombay Stock Exchange that the MCA has approved the change of name, with effect from January 23, 2026. The update was disclosed in compliance with Regulation 30 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements Regulations, 2015.

Confirming the approval, the company said the ministry had cleared the transition from Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network Limited to Aqylon Nexus Limited following the necessary regulatory process.

Aqylon Nexus said it has begun the formal exercise of replacing the old name across statutory filings and regulatory records. The broadcaster added that it is coordinating with relevant authorities and departments to complete the transition.

Under Section 12 of the Companies Act, 2013, the MCA has directed the company to continue displaying its former name alongside the new one for a period of two years.

Founded in 1994 and based in Mumbai, the company has been a long-standing presence in India’s television and content ecosystem. The rebrand reflects a repositioning effort as the media and entertainment sector undergoes rapid consolidation and structural change.

The legacy name remains on paper—for now. The business, however, is clearly turning the page.