Latest news with #SPNI
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Mukund Acharya joins SPNI as chief technology officer to drive technology-led transformation
Sony Pictures Networks India ( SPNI ) has announced the appointment of Mukund Acharya as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO), effective June 19, 2025. In his new role, Acharya will spearhead the company's consolidated technology portfolio, encompassing the Enterprise Technology Group (ETG), LIV Technology , and Broadcast Operations and Network Engineering (B.O.N.E.). He will be responsible for driving SPNI's digital transformation agenda, fostering innovation and ensuring strategic alignment between business goals and technology initiatives across the network's linear and digital platforms. With over 29 years of experience in leading technology teams and delivering large-scale transformations, Acharya brings deep expertise in platform engineering, scalability, and product innovation. He joins SPNI from Disney+ Hotstar (Now JioStar), where he served as Head of Engineering. During his tenure, he led several mission-critical projects, including the integration of JioCinema and Hotstar apps, and the seamless delivery of marquee events like the ICC World Cups 2023, 2024, and 2025. His prior experience includes senior technology leadership roles at Yahoo, InMobi, and other global organisations. Acharya will report to Gaurav Banerjee, managing director and chief executive officer, SPNI, and will also work closely with the leadership of Sony LIV to support its next phase of platform evolution and growth. Commenting on the appointment, Banerjee said, 'Mukund's proven leadership in technology-led transformation makes him an invaluable addition to our team. As we expand our digital and broadcast capabilities, his role will be critical in aligning our technology roadmap with our vision for growth and innovation.'
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Mukund Acharya joins Sony Pictures Networks India as chief technology officer
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has appointed Mukund Acharya as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO), effective today. He joins SPNI from Disney+ Hotstar (now JioHostar), where he was Head of Engineering. In his new role, Acharya will lead the company's consolidated technology portfolio, which includes the Enterprise Technology Group (ETG), LIV Technology, and Broadcast Operations and Network Engineering (B.O.N.E.). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Invest today with in Shriram's ULIP Shriram Life Insurance Undo He will drive SPNI's digital transformation agenda, champion innovation, and ensure strategic alignment between business goals and technology initiatives across the company's linear and digital platforms. Bringing over 29 years of experience in leading technology teams and executing large-scale transformations, Acharya offers deep expertise in platform engineering, scalability, and product innovation. Live Events During his tenure at JioStar, the merged entity formed after the merger of Star India and Viacom18, he oversaw critical projects, including the integration of the JioCinema and Hotstar apps, and the seamless delivery of major events such as the ICC World Cups in 2023, 2024, and 2025. His previous roles include senior technology leadership positions at Yahoo, InMobi, and other global organisations. Acharya will report to Gaurav Banerjee, Managing Director and CEO of SPNI, and will also collaborate closely with the leadership team at Sony LIV to support the next phase of the platform's evolution and growth. Commenting on the appointment, Banerjee said, 'Mukund's proven leadership in technology-led transformation makes him an invaluable addition to our team. As we expand our digital and broadcast capabilities , his role will be critical in aligning our technology roadmap with our vision for growth and innovation.'
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bombay HC asks TDSAT for an early hearing in Sony–Tata Play dispute
The Bombay High Court has asked the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal ( TDSAT ) to consider hearing broadcasting petitions and related applications involving Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), legally known as Culver Max Entertainment, and Tata Play ahead of schedule—preferably in the first week of July 2025. The direction came as the High Court disposed of a writ petition filed by SPNI, which sought to withdraw the matter citing the pendency of related proceedings before the TDSAT. The tribunal has currently scheduled the hearing between the two parties for July 23. The withdrawal was made without any objection from Tata Play. The order dated June 17 was uploaded today. During the hearing on June 17, senior counsel for SPNI also sought the court's permission to address consumer concerns via social media, a request to which Tata Play raised no objection. The court permitted SPNI to publish a clarifying message stating that while the dispute is sub judice, its channels remain available on Tata Play, both on an a-la-carte basis and as part of its bouquets. Customers may contact Tata Play's customer service number to activate these channels. Live Events The bench, comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Dr. Neela Gokhale, clarified that all legal rights and contentions of the parties are kept open and remain unaffected by the withdrawal of the petition. SPNI had approached the High Court to challenge a recent TDSAT directive instructing it to remove all social media posts and content—including those on X—that referenced Tata Play, either directly or indirectly. Senior counsel Janak Dwarkadas, along with Sneha Jaisingh of Bharucha Partners, represented SPNI in the proceedings. Tata Play was represented by senior advocate Ravindra Kadam and counsel Rohan Kadam. The dispute pertains to the renewal of the annual subscription agreement between SPNI, which operates 27 television channels, and Tata Play, which has around 18 million subscribers. Following the disagreement, Tata Play started removing SPNI channels from its consumer packs following which the broadcaster started running scrolls on its channels urging viewers to switch to other operators for continued access to its channels. SPNI had sought Rs 300 crore in dues from the DTH service provider . The tribunal had earlier clarified that its May 30 order should be read in conjunction with its May 27 order, which directed SPNI to remove on-screen scrolls referring to Tata Play from its channels. Tata Play, in turn, was directed to make a partial payment of Rs 40 crore towards the broadcaster's dues. Earlier, the High Court had issued notices to both TDSAT and Tata Play, directing them to file their responses. The matter, initially scheduled for hearing on June 16, was adjourned to June 17. In its submissions to TDSAT, Tata Play argued that SPNI's financial demand was unreasonable, stating that it had paid around Rs 4,000 crore over the past decade—including Rs 700 crore annually—and had made significant payments since SPNI's initial demand in March 2025.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bombay High Court disposes of Sony's plea against TDSAT order in dispute with Tata Play
The Bombay High Court has disposed of the petition filed by Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), legally known as Culver Max Entertainment, and directed the company to approach the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal ( TDSAT ) for any relief in its dispute with direct-to-home (DTH) platform Tata Play over renewal of their annual agreement. A division bench comprising justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Kedar Gokhale, in an oral order, advised the Sony Group company to take the matter to the appellate tribunal, which adjudicates broadcasting-related disputes. The TDSAT reconvenes after vacation on July 1. The tribunal had earlier issued an interim order and adjourned the case to July 23. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025년 가장 멋진 RPG 게임을 지금 정복하세요 레이드 섀도우 레전드 Undo The high court's detailed order had not been uploaded till press time. The court allowed SPNI to respond to consumer queries on social media by stating that the dispute with Tata Play is pending before the TDSAT and that SPNI channels remain available on Tata Play, both a-la-carte and through SPNI's channel bouquets. To activate these channels, customers may contact Tata Play's customer service number. Live Events SPNI had approached the high court to challenge a recent TDSAT directive instructing it to remove all social media posts and content—including those on X—that referenced Tata Play, whether directly or indirectly. Senior counsel Janak Dwarkadas, along with Sneha Jaisingh of Bharucha Partners, represented SPNI in the proceedings. Tata Play was represented by senior advocate Ravindra Kadam and counsel Rohan Kadam. Both SPNI and Tata Play declined to comment on the matter. The dispute pertains to a disagreement over the renewal of the annual subscription agreement between SPNI, which operates 27 television channels, and Tata Play. The latter, which has around 18 million subscribers, had removed the channels from its consumer packs following the dispute. SPNI had sought Rs 300 crore in dues from the DTH services provider. The tribunal had clarified that its May 30 order should be read in conjunction with its May 27 order, in which SPNI was directed to remove scrolls against Tata Play from its channels. Tata Play was asked to make a partial payment of Rs 40 crore against the broadcaster's dues. Earlier, the high court had issued notices to TDSAT and Tata Play, directing them to file their responses. The matter was scheduled for a hearing on June 16 but was adjourned to June 17. In its submissions to the TDSAT, Tata Play argued that SPNI's financial demand was unreasonable, stating that it had paid about Rs 4,000 crore over the past decade—including Rs 700 crore annually—and had made significant payments since SPNI's initial demand in March 2025.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Sony Pictures sharpens India focus amid M&E shake-up
Synopsis Sony Pictures Entertainment is increasing its investment in the Indian media and entertainment sector, driven by economic and population growth. Following a failed merger with Zee Entertainment, SPNI is focusing on strengthening content production, digital platforms like SonyLIV, and distribution partnerships under new leadership. Recent investments include cricket rights and a revamp of Sony Entertainment Television's programming to boost viewership.
