ITV

Tag: Anil Jayraj

  • Viacom18 revamps leadership amid Disney merger

    Viacom18 revamps leadership amid Disney merger

    Mumbai: In a recent restructuring move, Kiran Mani, CEO of Viacom18’s digital arm, is poised to spearhead the brand’s digital and sports ventures, while Kevin Vaz, CEO-Broadcast, will take charge of content clusters across TV and digital platforms, as reported by various media outlets.

    This organisational shift follows the merger of Viacom18 and Star India through a joint venture announced on 28 February, which was initiated by Reliance Industries in collaboration with Disney. According to internal communications, Mani will extend his leadership to include Viacom18’s linear sports channels alongside his role as CEO of the digital division. With a background of 13 years at Google before joining Viacom18 last year, Mani will now oversee Viacom18 Sports CEO Anil Jayraj, within this new organisational structure.

    Kevin Vaz, who joined Viacom18 in July last year following his departure from Disney Star in April, is also a key figure in this leadership transition. He will take on responsibility for the entire content business. Both Mani and Vaz will function as Co-CEOs within the media company.

    In tandem with these changes, Reliance and its affiliates will hold a 63.16 per cent stake in the joint venture, while Disney will maintain a 36.84 per cent stake, as per the terms of the deal. This consolidation will position the nation’s leading media company to operate two streaming services and approximately 120 television channels.

  • Live Content on OTT: Challenges, Opportunities and Triumphs

    Live Content on OTT: Challenges, Opportunities and Triumphs

    Mumbai: Internet and Mobile Association of India’s (IAMAI) 18th India Digital Summit, was held at Jio Convention Centre, BKC on 27 and 28 February. Many dignitaries where present from the digital advertising and martech industry and also many session from various sector took place. One such highlighting session was the fireside chat which dwelled deep into the challenges, opportunities, and triumphs of live content on OTT in India. The chat was moderated by sports broadcaster Mayanti Langer and featured Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd CEO (Sports) Anil Jayraj. The event provided a comprehensive understanding of the rapidly evolving OTT landscape in the country and also the exponential growth of sports content especially cricket.

    The session kicked off with an exploration of the challenges plaguing the OTT industry in India. From technological hurdles to content censorship regulations, Jayraj shared about the obstacles hindering the seamless delivery of live content to consumers. Issues such as bandwidth constraints and infrastructure limitations were also addressed, highlighting the need for innovative solutions to ensure uninterrupted streaming experiences for users across diverse demographics.

    Jayraj also shed light on the opportunities awaiting OTT platforms in India. With the growth of digital penetration and the rising popularity of smartphones, the country presents a fertile ground for content creators and distributors. The chat explained the importance of personalised content recommendations, user engagement strategies, and monetisation models tailored to the Indian market.

    Against the backdrop of challenges and opportunities, the session celebrated the triumphs of OTT platforms that have successfully carved a niche in the Indian sports ecosystem. From sports events to music concerts, the power of live streaming in fostering real-time interactions and community building was evident.

    As the session drew to a close, participants were left with a sense of optimism for the future of OTT in India. With advancements in technology and changing consumer behaviors reshaping the way content is consumed and distributed, the journey ahead promises both challenges and opportunities for stakeholders across the ecosystem.