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Sony designates Disney's Banerjee as new India CEO, sources say

Japan's Sony has designated a Walt Disney executive, Gaurav Banerjee, as its new India president to lead its television and other media businesses, two people knowledgeable about the matter told on Tuesday.

Banerjee has actually resigned from Disney's India unit where he was the head of content for its streaming service, Hotstar, and head of organization for the company's TV channels in Hindi-speaking markets, one source stated.

A 2nd source said Banerjee would sign up with Sony in about 2 months.

Disney declined to comment, while Sony and Banerjee did not instantly react to duplicated inquiries.

Last week, Sony stated it was trying to find a follower to its present India president, N.P. Singh, who had decided to proceed.

Sony runs 26 channels in India, from basic home entertainment to sports and films, and also a streaming service. This year, it scrapped a planned merger with India's Zee Home entertainment that would have produced a $10-billion business.

Banerje's departure from Disney comes as the U.S. firm seeks Indian regulators' approval to combine its India media assets with those of Reliance, which is led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, in a combination making it India's biggest home entertainment business.

(source: Reuters)