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Tag: Sony Pictures

  • Sony Pictures’ Juhita Gupta takes lead role on YouTube channels

    Sony Pictures’ Juhita Gupta takes lead role on YouTube channels

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India has handed the reins of its YouTube channels to Juhita Gupta, a seasoned media professional with over 16 years of consumer insights and market research under her belt.

    Gupta, who has spent more than a decade shaping programming strategies and audience growth across Sony Sab, Sony Pal, Sony Max and Set, is known for blending data storytelling with sharp commercial impact. Her remit now includes steering Sony’s digital video footprint at a time when streaming platforms are fighting fiercely for attention.

    Before joining Sony, she worked with 9XM, Disney Channel, Hungama, Star Movies and Channel V, giving her a panoramic view of India’s entertainment ecosystem, from kids’ content to blockbuster films.

    She began her career in FMCG research at Nielsen and TNS, tracking categories from skincare to home care. Those early years sharpened her instincts in quantitative and qualitative research, a skill set she later repurposed for television and, now, digital.

    Gupta’s expertise runs the gamut from weekly TV ratings (TAM, BARC) and promo planning to ethnographies, focus groups and social listening. In her own words, she thrives on “insight mining” and translating numbers into narratives, a talent Sony hopes will give its YouTube channels an edge in the battle for viewers.

  • Designs on growth LS Digital appoints Dipali Mahesh to lead UI/UX

    Designs on growth LS Digital appoints Dipali Mahesh to lead UI/UX

    MUMBAI: Looks like LS Digital is giving its design story a bold new stroke. The integrated Digital Business Transformation (DBT) company has appointed Dipali Mahesh as managing director – UI/UX, F1studioz, signalling its intent to put design at the heart of its global growth blueprint.

    Mahesh brings 28 years of leadership experience across media and technology, with senior stints at Sony Pictures and Extreme Reach (formerly Adstream). She has managed multi-market operations across India, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, building high-performing teams and turning around businesses with a clear focus on profitability.

    At LS Digital, Mahesh will co-lead the UI/UX vertical with co-founder & chief designer, D. Dhayan Kumar, under the guidance of Prasad Shejale, founder & CEO. Her brief? To shape F1studioz’s global strategy, expand its footprint in the US, UAE, and Europe, and position the studio as the go-to partner for enterprises betting on UI/UX as a critical business transformation lever.

    “I believe agility and innovation will continue to be our strongest differentiators,” Mahesh said, underlining her focus on scaling impact in international markets.

    Dhayan Kumar welcomed her appointment, noting the “immense value” of her global perspective, while Prasad Shejale called her a “deep expert in design strategy” whose experience will be pivotal to LS Digital’s next phase of innovation.

    For a firm that has been building its design-led transformation playbook, this appointment is no cosmetic tweak. It’s a strategic brushstroke on a much larger canvas, one where LS Digital is sketching its vision of future-ready UI/UX solutions with measurable impact for enterprises worldwide.

  • Content India: Indian entertainment’s power play as streaming, AI and regulation collide

    Content India: Indian entertainment’s power play as streaming, AI and regulation collide

    MUMBAI: Move over, primetime television, the new battleground for eyeballs is digital. With smartphones doubling as multiplexes and streaming platforms serving as global entertainment highways, Indian content is having its biggest moment yet. But along with opportunities, the industry faces significant regulatory, technological, and monetisation challenges.

    At Content India 2025’s Perspectives for Change session, leading industry executives, including Gaurav Banerjee (MD & CEO, Sony Pictures/Sony Liv), Jason Hafford (founder, Prototype Content), Kilian Kerwin (president, Jaya Entertainment), Roma Khanna (producer), Tanisha Khanna (lawyer, Nishith Desai Associates), and Shoojit Sircar (CEO, Rising Sun Films), discussed what’s next for Indian entertainment. One thing was clear: the rules of the game are changing, and only the agile will thrive.

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a futuristic concept; it’s already shaping how content is produced, consumed, and monetised. AI-powered analytics are refining ad placements and content recommendations, making streaming services more personalised than ever.

    “AI is a game-changer for storytelling,” said Gaurav Banerjee. “We’re now able to understand audiences at an unprecedented level. The way we create, distribute, and monetise content is evolving, and platforms that adapt quickly will dominate.”

    According to industry insights, AI has led to a 15–20 per cent boost in ad revenue and pay-per-view subscriptions, improving monetisation for platforms.

    Banerjee further noted how AI is addressing long-standing biases in content creation. “For years, storytelling was dominated by certain voices. AI-driven insights are now helping us correct that imbalance, ensuring more diverse representation in entertainment.”

    With AI also being used to automatically translate and dub content, regional storytelling is gaining a global reach. “We’re seeing a major shift where a Tamil or Telugu film can be released worldwide with AI-driven localisation. That’s a huge leap forward,” added Kilian Kerwin.

    If AI is supercharging content, regulations are defining the playground. The Indian entertainment industry is increasingly facing scrutiny, particularly in the digital space. The IT Rules and other regulatory frameworks are being challenged in court, with concerns over censorship and content liability.

    This regulatory uncertainty is causing anxiety among streaming platforms. “Creative freedom is crucial,” said Roma Khanna. “At the same time, we understand the need for responsible storytelling. But what we don’t want is ambiguous laws that leave platforms and creators second-guessing what’s acceptable.”

    Banerjee was more direct: “We need clear and predictable regulations. Content creators should not feel like they’re constantly walking on eggshells. Regulation should encourage creativity, not stifle it.”

    While OTT platforms remain largely self-regulated, concerns about political sensitivities and legal repercussions have led to increased caution in content curation. “We have seen instances where content was pulled due to public backlash,” added Tanisha Khanna. “It’s crucial that there’s a structured, fair process in place.”

    While streaming platforms are thriving, making money remains a puzzle. Subscription models have their limits, and ad-supported streaming is still evolving. However, new-age monetisation models like microtransactions, premium ad tiers, virtual goods, and gamified content experiences are gaining traction.

    Banerjee shed light on the shift in viewer spending habits. “Five years ago, people were hesitant to pay for content. Now, we have 62 per cent of Indian households paying for digital entertainment. The audience values good storytelling, and they’re willing to pay for it.”

    The advertising-based video-on-demand (AVOD) model is also witnessing a surge. “We saw a 40 per cent increase in AVOD revenue last year,” Banerjee revealed. “Ad-supported content isn’t just for budget-conscious viewers anymore. Even premium audiences are engaging with it.”

    Interestingly, India’s vast language diversity is proving to be a monetisation goldmine. Viewers are streaming content in multiple languages, increasing the reach of regional cinema and opening new revenue streams for platforms.

    “Regional content is the future,” said Shoojit Sircar. “More than 60 per cent of future content investments are going into non-Hindi programming, and for good reason. The audience is demanding authenticity, and regional storytelling delivers that in a way no other content can.”

    The biggest validation of Indian entertainment’s success? Global audiences can’t get enough of it. Indian shows and films are now regularly trending in the top 10 lists on global platforms.

    Platforms like Amazon Prime and Netflix are doubling down on Indian originals, and franchises such as Mirzapur, Panchayat, and Citadel: Honey Bunny are expanding their universes. In 2024 alone, Indian content trended in the top 10 worldwide every single week.

    “India has always had great stories, but now we have the technology and platforms to take them global,” said Jason Hafford. “We’re no longer just exporting films, we’re shaping global content trends.”

    The rise of international collaborations is also a promising sign. “We’re working with global studios, co-producing, and experimenting with formats that have never been tried before in India,” said Kilian Kerwin. “The future is cross-border storytelling.”

    The future of Indian entertainment is a mix of boundless opportunity and complex challenges. AI is set to revolutionise content, but ethical concerns and biases must be addressed. Regulations will shape how platforms operate, but clarity is needed to encourage innovation. And while monetisation strategies evolve, striking the right balance between subscriptions, ads, and new revenue streams will be crucial.

    For Gaurav Banerjee, the most exciting part is yet to come. “We’re only scratching the surface. With 5G rolling out, AI making content discovery seamless, and regional content driving engagement, the OTT revolution in India is far from reaching its season finale, it’s just getting started.”

    With the entertainment landscape evolving faster than ever, one thing is certain – the golden age of Indian content is here, and the best is yet to come.
     

  • Structured succession planning process is on for my successor: NP Singh

    Structured succession planning process is on for my successor: NP Singh

    MUMBAI: With the announcement that NP Singh has decided to hang up his boots at SPNI, an era is coming to an end. One of the few senior executives to have seen it all, from traditional pay TV broadcasting to the streaming revolution followed by its fizzling out, NP (as he is called) is leaving behind extremely large boots to be filled. 

    A hard-nose finance professional and one of the few Sikhs to lead a media company in India, he stepped into the effervescent Kunal Dasgupta’s shoes, from his CFO’s position in the previous decade. He led SPNI well: making it one of the most profitable broadcasters in India – and even Asia – by focusing on the bottom line, taking hard decisions like not overbidding for IPL rights and even dropping a property that Sony had spent more than a decade developing.  

    He was one of the key executives – apart from those in Los Angeles – who worked on the now-aborted merger of SPNI (Culver Max) with Zee Entertainment. 

    Known to be reticent and  almost media shy despite running a M&E major, NP never let the glamour and glitz of the broadcasting business get to him. So it’s no surprise that  the note he sent out to his team, is subtle and subdued in its messaging.  Read on for details of the message: 

    Today, I have a significant update to share. After nearly 44 years in my career, including a rewarding 25-year tenure at SPNI, I have decided to move on from my role as MD and CEO. Having reached many significant milestones with our team, I am now ready to focus on social change and shift from operational roles to advisory ones. 

     

    However, my commitment to SPNI and its success remains strong. During my time here, we have established industry benchmarks, expanded our reach, and achieved many noteworthy accomplishments. I am dedicated to ensuring our legacy of success continues and grows under the new leadership.

     I will continue to lead SPNI until we find the right person to take over. We have begun a structured succession planning process for my successor and hope to have exciting news to share in the near future. Finding the right fit is our top priority.

     I understand there may be speculation during this time, so I urge everyone to rely on our official updates. We are committed to sharing timely and transparent information through our established channels and will communicate any definitive updates directly.

     Thank you for your trust and support. Your commitment and patience are vital as we navigate this transition and continue our path of growth and innovation.

  • Punit Goenka vows to strengthen Zee following deal failure

    Punit Goenka vows to strengthen Zee following deal failure

    Mumbai: So has the implosion of the Sony Pictures deal with Zee Entertainment dampened the spirit of its MD and CEO Punit Goenka?

    Not really. The eldest son of Zee founder Subhash Chandra is in Ayodhya with his family as this story is being written, attending the consecration of the Ram temple in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

    Punit appeared unaffected by the refusal of Sony to give an extension of a month to try and forge an agreement, which please both the Japanese giant and Zee.

    In high spirits, Goenka, smiled widely as he tweeted on the social media platform X: “ As I arrived at Ayodhya early this morning for the auspicious occasion of Pran Pratishtha, I received a message that the deal that I have spent two years envisioning and working towards had fallen through, despite my best and most honest efforts. I believe this to be a sign from the Lord. I resolve to move ahead positively and work towards strengthening Bharat’s pioneering M&E Company, for all its stakeholders. Jai Shri Ram .”
     

  • Sony YAY! partners with KidZania to begin pet rescue agency

    Sony YAY! partners with KidZania to begin pet rescue agency

    Mumbai: Sony YAY! has partnered with KidZania, an award-winning global edutainment theme park to launch a unique pet rescue agency.

    With this, Sony YAY! aims to empower kids to love and secure animals. At the Pet Rescue Agency KidZania Mumbai, kids will get to play a role as “rescue agents” and go on an adventure of finding and rescuing pets in KidZania city.

    With the help of exciting cues and indicative maps, kids will learn about the nitty-gritty of pet-rescuing operations alongside gaining knowledge about the diverse breeds and kinds of pets. The team-based activity will see kids be sharp and alert to follow set instructions as well as seek out clues to the whereabouts of the missing pets.

    Speaking on this, Sony Pictures Networks India, Kids’ Genre head of marketing Sujoy Roy Bardhan said, “Pet welfare is extremely close to my heart. At Sony YAY! It has been our constant endeavour to empower kids and further serve the purpose of reaching out to our audiences. The launch of the Pet Rescue Agency not just helps us to take another step in the same direction, but also helps us inculcate the right approach into the future citizens of the country.”

    Talking about this partnership, KidZania India chief partnership officer Prerna Uppal said, “KidZania has always envisioned providing children with an all-rounded multi-dimensional edutainment that contributes to the overall growth of their personality. By partnering with Sony YAY!, a brand that believes in business with purpose, we not only aim at enabling children to explore what it is like being a pet rescuer but also instil in them values like care and compassion as well as a sense of responsibility towards pets. We believe that inculcating such crucial values at a young age can go a long way in empowering kids to build a better world for themselves in the future.”

    Cyrus Broacha added, “Animals are man’s best friends, and I am very happy to see Sony YAY! taking the initiative to bring awareness towards their safety and security. With this initiative, I hope the kids develop more empathy towards animals and bring a positive change at large towards animal welfare”

  • Sony Pictures Television India & Isobar make spider-man fans tap into the multiverse

    Sony Pictures Television India & Isobar make spider-man fans tap into the multiverse

    Mumbai: Sony Pictures Television India and Dentsu’s Isobar have launched a campaign to give the audience an experience of the multiverse, a physics theory that is barely known to the layman.

    Through this campaign, the duo has created a multiverse on mobile devices to bring the essence of the movie “Spider-Man: No Way Home” to the fans before they buy or rent the movie on the BookMyShow stream. For the record, the multiverse was a key part of “Spider-Man: No Way Home” for Sony Pictures Television India.

    Isobar India has developed a website titled, Tap Into The Multiverse, where a single URL – tapintothemultiverse.com can be opened on different browsers to get an experience of different villain universes each time. The website is created to showcase the two universes belonging to the three villains – Doc Ock, Electro and Green Goblin.

    One villain can be accessed with each unique browser visit, while the URL remains the same. The fans are further tested on their villain IQ with interactive questions for a more immersive experience. After this unique experience, the fans are given the option to purchase “Spider-Man: No Way Home” on BookMyShow stream and enjoy extra footage that has never been seen before.

    Talking about the collaboration, Sony Pictures Television South Asia VP, sales and international distribution Sonika Bhasin said, “For a movie like this, the experience of the multiverse just leaves you wanting more. It’s a prelude to an experience that’s completed by streaming “Spider-Man: No Way Home” on BookMyShow stream. People want to not just watch, but also engage with the brand and experience it.”

    Isobar India Group chief executive officer Heeru Dingra said, “It is just not enough to give the audience a taste of a film like this through a trailer. A unique experience is what Spidey fans deserve, and it’s what they got with Tap Into The Multiverse.”

    Isobar India and Taproot chief creative officer Aalap Desai commented, “An iconic franchise like Spider-Man calls for an iconic idea to promote it. A simple question we asked ourselves was, why wait for the movie to get an experience of your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man? Why not give fans an experience even before they stream it at home? That’s what we did with Tap Into The Multiverse.”

  • U-TO onboards Wolfzhowl Strategic Instigation as business strategy partner

    U-TO onboards Wolfzhowl Strategic Instigation as business strategy partner

    Mumbai: MediaTech company U-TO Solutions is all set for its next phase of growth. Founded in 2000, U-TO has partnered with companies like Sony Pictures, Star TV, Viacom18, TataSky, Shemaroo and others in driving intelligence for profitable actions through technology. U-TO through their association with BroadView Software Canada and indigenously built RightsU are gearing up to enter Southeast Asia and Middle East and Africa this year. It has appointed Wolfzhowl Strategic Instigation as their business strategy partner.

    “As the media landscape becomes more complex, with the rise of streaming services and influencer-turned content creators, U-TO is looking at making in-roads by creating bespoke solutions for Media & Entertainment companies across India, Southeast Asia & Middle East and Africa. We were looking for a strategy consultancy that had expertise in B2B Technology and product marketing, who could become true partners in our success and not just work as external consultants,” said  U-TO co-founder CTO Sumit Suri on this appointment.

    Globally, the Digital Rights Management market is valued at $1.29 billion in 2018 and is expected to reach $2.05 billion by the end of 2024. India, South Korea, Southeast Asia and Africa will be driving this market growth with the increase in On-Demand Content and increased internet penetration.

    “U-TO is gearing up for the solidity of their success and we are happy to partner with them in this growth. As a behaviour change consultancy, we are excited to be working across the business’ value chain. Our deep understanding of culture and its impact on each stakeholder in the value chain along with our focus on outcomes ensures that we drive growth for U-TO. This growth will come through Brand Positioning 2.0, Service and Sales Design 2.0 and Product Branding and Marketing,” says Wolfzhowl partner and lead integrated strategy Prerna Dubey Gupta.

  • M&E veterans Saurabh Varma, Utpal Acharya launch Content Engineers

    M&E veterans Saurabh Varma, Utpal Acharya launch Content Engineers

    Mumbai: Former Jio Studios chief marketing officer Saurabh Varma has joined hands with a former executive from Cinépolis Gulf and Sony Pictures Utpal Acharya to form a content creation studio – Content Engineers.

    According to a statement, the studio will put $50 million as an initial investment to create all forms of intellectual properties including feature films, web series, documentaries and docudramas to cater to both theatrical and OTT space.

    Content Engineers is backed by Silicon Valley-based technology consulting and Angel investing enterprise Veear Projects which has networks all across North America and Asia.

    “The content will focus on grass-rooted Indian stories with Indian values. The vision is to create films based on new-age, heart-warming Indian stories that will connect with audiences all across the world,” a statement said.

    The firm will set up its own ideation cell and think tanks, disruptive media-tech initiatives, technology innovations, VFX studios, a post-production unit, and virtual production and script lab. The team at Content Engineers will consist of writers, storytellers, content creators from all across India including tier 2 and 3 towns with a focus on commercially viable original stories.

    Varma has worked with Jio Studios, Inox, Reliance Entertainment and PVR Ltd, handling marketing, distribution, programming and content syndication. Varma has also directed multiple feature films. Acharya has been part of giant corporates like Sony Pictures, UTV, Studio18, Reliance Entertainment and Cinepolis Gulf handling box office, sales, business development, production, distribution, programming, content acquisition and syndication. Both will bring in the experience of over 45 years and more than 1500+ films together.

    “Good stories can survive the toughest of times and well-engineered content has the power to put ideas into the world today,” said Saurabh Varma. “The recent growth in demand for content due to the rise of so many OTT platforms has opened a world of opportunities to explore disruptive content. In today’s world, where language is no longer a barrier, we intend to create grass-rooted Indian content that is Indian and yet global in its appeal. Content Engineers intends to invest in people, emotions and stories seamlessly link these elements to create impactful and meaningful content.”

    “Apart from creating relevant IP’s and disruptive content, Content Engineers aim to build a wholesome system that will nurture the chosen projects from scripting till it reaches the audiences worldwide,” said Utpal Acharya. “At times, a good narrative fails to get the right audience due to the lack of proper strategy and initiatives. Content Engineers aims to fill that void by forming a fine balance between the creative and the commerce thinking in the media-tech business.”

  • SPN secures dynamic John Doe injunction to protect copyright of India’s upcoming series

    New Delhi: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has secured a Dynamic John Doe injunction order from the Delhi high court to protect infringement of copyrights for two of the upcoming international cricketing series.

    The order applies to India–Sri Lanka Men’s International Series in July 2021 and the India–England Men’s International Series in August and September 2021. The Dynamic John Doe will shield SPN from unlawful and unauthorized dissemination of IPs on the internet and other social media platforms.

    The injunction order restrains Internet Service Providers (ISPs), cable operators and websites from carrying content that violates SPN’s copyright in the broadcast and digital transmission rights for the cricketing series. With the Dynamic injunction, if SPN finds that other ISPs and websites are violating its copyrights, it can obtain an injunction against them also. Besides, to combat piracy on the ground, the court has appointed two local commissioners to ascertain and report to the court whether the Multi-System Operators (MSOs) and Local Cable Operators (LCOs), are distributing or transmitting the cricketing events illegally.

    SPN has acquired from the England and Wales Cricket Board Limited (ECB) as well as from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) an exclusive license to broadcast in the territories of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and the Maldives for the India Tour of England 2021 and worldwide, excluding Sri Lanka, for the India Tour of Sri Lanka 2021.

    The matches will be available on SPN’s linear channels SONY TEN 1, SONY TEN 1 HD, SONY TEN 3, SONY TEN 3 HD, SONY TEN 4, SONY TEN 4 HD, SONY SIX, SONY SIX HD and its digital platform SonyLIV.