SET India has promoted Rohit Gupta as its president for network sales, licensing and telephony with immediate effect.

He will continue to report to SET India CEO Kunal Dasgupta.

Gupta was given the additional responsibility of handling the digital, licensing and telephony activities of the company a few months back even when he was designated as executive vice president, ad sales and revenue management.

Said Dasgupta, “Rohit has been with the company for more than five years and has contributed immensely in building the network sales team and growing revenues year on year. (more…)

AFTER the Indian cricket team’s ouster from the ICC World Cup 2007, the worst fears of advertisers and media agencies have come true. According to latest numbers released by the TV audience measurement firm Audience Measurement and Analytics Ltd (aMap), television viewership of World Cup matches has been shaved off by over 50% since India’s exit.

aMap’s data reveals that gross rating points (GRPs) of the matches have plunged to 13.89 from a GRP levels in excess of 40 during India matches. For instance, the GRP of the Australia vs South Africa (March 24) fixture, which was the first game after India’s exit, was 22.98. GRP for Tuesday’s West Indies vs Australia game (March 27) crashed further to 13.89.

Compare these numbers with the GRPs of matches where India played. India’s first match with Bangladesh delivered a GRP of 46.67. The game against Bermuda delivered a GRP of 40.75, while the ratings shot to 54.53 for the crucial match with Sri Lanka. The GRP for the World Cup opener between West Indies and Pakistan (March 13) was also a modest 36.83. aMap’s GRP figures for the first half of the matches also showed similar trend. (more…)

SET India Private Limited (SET India) have reached a multi-year agreement with Kunal Dasgupta to continue as Chief Executive Officer of the company. The announcement was made by Sony Pictures Television International President International Networks (SPTI) Andy Kaplan.

“Kunal joined SET India before the launch of Sony Entertainment Television in July 1995 and was one of its first employees,” said Kaplan.

“The commitment he has shown in growing our businesses in India is evident and we’re extremely pleased that he has agreed to remain as head of our channels in India. He has assembled a strong management team and we’re looking forward to much more success under Kunal’s leadership in the coming years,” he further added. (more…)

Kunal Dasgupta, CEO of Sony Entertainment Television (SET), has got a two-year extension as the head honcho of the company. Mr Dasgupta’s contract with SET was scheduled to end in June 2007.

This makes Mr Dasgupta, who stepped into the top slot in 1996, the longest running CEO in the history of any media or entertainment company. While speculation was rife that Mr Dasgupta’s term at SET would end, the two-year extension gains importance in the light of SET’s IPO plans.

The SET India board has appointed Manjit Singh as chairman, replacing Michael Grindon, president of Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI), who will continue as a board member. Mr Grindon has chaired the board since SPTI and its JV partners launched SET India in 1995 with one channel, Sony Entertainment Television. (more…)

Sony Entertainment Television has acquired the global satellite rights for a package of films, including blockbuster hit Lage Raho Munnabhai, from leading Bollywood media and entertainment major Eros international.

The deal gives Sony retain exclusive broadcasting rights to the original version of a slate of titles for five years and includes recent films like Salaam-e-ishq as well as upcoming releases like Namastey London.

Sunil Lulla, the director and president for india at Eros international, was quoted in an official statement as saying: “We have a strong relationship with all the leading indian television networks and are delighted that Eros’ content will now be showcased on Sony Entertainment Television. (more…)