Sony Pictures Networks India reshuffles leadership

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has unveiled a series of leadership changes impacting key positions within its entertainment channels.

Nachiket Pantvaidya, a seasoned media executive with previous stints at Star TV and Balaji Telefilms, has been appointed as business head of Sony Entertainment Television (SET). This marks Pantvaidya’s third stint at SPNI. He will maintain his current role as Managing Director at Sony Pictures International Productions, allowing him to leverage his expertise across both platforms.

Tushar Shah, currently business head of English, Bengali and infotainment channels and the chief marketing officer at SPNI, will expand his portfolio to include oversight of Sony MAX, Sony MAX HD, Sony MAX 2, Sony WAH and Sony PAL. Shah, who has been with SPNI for almost 18 years over two terms, has been instrumental in driving growth and profitability for the channels under his purview.

Ajay Bhalwankar, who has been with SPNI since 2014 and currently heads the company’s Marathi language channel, will take on additional responsibilities as business head of Sony SAB. Under Bhalwankar’s leadership, Sony Marathi has seen growth and now has a 9% share of the Marathi GEC market.

These appointments come as SPNI, now operating under the corporate identity of Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited, has seen some major changes at the top. Former Disney India executive Gaurav Banerjee will take over as managing director and CEO this month. Banerjee will step into the shoes of NP Singh, who is stepping down after 25 years with the company. Singh will take on the role of non-executive chairman to support the transition until the end of the financial year.

SPNI, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, Japan, has a diverse portfolio of channels across genres and languages. The company claims to reach over 700 million viewers in India and is available in 167 countries.