Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) is to announce Gaurav Banerjee of Disney Star as its new CEO, replacing NP Singh, as per a report by Reuters, which quotes two people familiar with the matter. Storyboard18 couldn’t independently verify the news. Last week, NP Singh had announced his decision to move on from his role after 25 years at SPNI.
The report states that Banerjee has resigned from Disney Star and will join SPNI in about two months, as per the sources mentioned.
At Disney Star, Banerjee oversees content for Hindi entertainment and Disney+ Hotstar. Additionally, he is the Business Head for Star Bharat. In 2023, Banerjee was given the additional responsibility of Star Bharat, Hindi and English Movies cluster, Kids and Infotainment, and the regional portfolio (East) comprising Star Jalsha and Star Kiran.
Read more: SPNI’s NP Singh to “move on” from his role as MD and CEO
A prime-time anchor and senior producer at Aaj Tak, Banerjee has been a journalist before joining Star News in 2004 and a year later, he was instrumental in launching the Bengali news channel Star Ananda.
He joined Star India in 2004 as Anchor and Executive Editor of Star News prime time shows. He moved on to lead the content strategy of the network’s regional entertainment channels in 2008 and expanded the company’s reach in two new markets, Bengal and Maharashtra with Star Jalsha and Star Pravah, respectively.
In October 2009, he moved on to Hindi entertainment as Head of Content Strategy at Star Plus and in 2013 he took on the role of General Manager of Star Plus. Around 2015-2016, Banerjee took charge as the leader of the Content Studio and refreshed the storytelling approach for Star Plus and Star Bharat.
Banerjee has a Masters in Film Making and Video from Mass Communications Research Centre, Jamia Milia Islamia University, Delhi.