Sony appoints new heads for Hindi entertainment, movie channels

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has announced key leadership changes following the exit of Neeraj Vyas, appointing three new leaders to steer its Hindi general entertainment and movie channels.

Nachiket Pantvaidya, a seasoned media professional, has been named the Business Head of Sony Entertainment Television (SET). This marks his third tenure with SPNI, reflecting his extensive experience across leading media companies. In addition to his new role at SET, Nachiket will continue to serve as General Manager at Sony Pictures International Productions (SPIP). His previous stints at SPNI have showcased his strategic acumen, where he successfully managed P&L for SET, developed iconic franchises, and significantly increased advertising and distribution revenues.

Ajay Bhalwankar, who has been with SPNI since 2014 and currently heads its Marathi channel, will now also lead Sony SAB as its Business Head. Ajay previously served as Chief Creative Director for SET, where his leadership helped Sony Marathi carve out a niche in the Marathi General Entertainment Channel market, capturing a 9% market share with its progressive and relatable content.

Tushar Shah, who oversees Sony PIX, Sony AATH, and Sony BBC Earth, and also serves as SPNI’s Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), will take on additional responsibilities by leading Sony MAX, Sony MAX HD, Sony MAX 2, Sony WAH, and Sony PAL. With nearly 18 years of experience across two tenures at SPNI, Tushar has been instrumental in driving growth, profitability, and viewership, particularly in expanding Sony AATH’s reach in West Bengal.

These appointments reflect SPNI’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team and further enhancing its presence in the competitive Hindi entertainment and movie channel segments. Siliconindia