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

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.