Tushar Shah Sony Pictures Networks India leadership chapter comes to a close

After sixteen years in senior roles, Tushar Shah Sony Pictures Networks India marketing and cluster head will exit the network in March 2026.

Leadership transitions in large television networks often signal the end of carefully built eras across channels and genres. At Sony Pictures Networks India, one such chapter is now entering its final stretch, with a long serving senior leader preparing to move on after shaping multiple brands and businesses within the network. In this context, the departure of Tushar Shah Sony Pictures Networks India marks a significant moment for the company entertainment portfolio.

Shah, who currently serves as chief marketing officer and business head for the movies, regional, FTA and infotainment clusters, will step down on 31 March 2026 following a structured handover period. His association with the network goes back more than nineteen years, including an earlier stint between 2002 and 2005. Across those years, he has been closely associated with the evolution of channels such as Sony MAX, Sony MAX 2, Sony PAL, Sony WAH, Sony Marathi, Sony AATH, Sony PIX and Sony BBC Earth.

How did Shah shape the network entertainment clusters

Over time, Shah responsibilities expanded from brand and marketing leadership into full business stewardship. He played a central role in overseeing portfolios that spanned Hindi and English movie channels, regional offerings, free to air properties and infotainment. That mix demanded both creative judgement and an ability to read shifting viewer behaviour across markets and price points.

One of the most cited milestones from this period is the turnaround of Sony AATH. The Bengali language channel moved from a challenging phase into a steady, profitable performer and has remained in the black for more than a decade. The transformation required sustained investment in programming, scheduling and brand repositioning, alongside attention to local tastes and competitive dynamics.

Shah also led the network wide brand refresh, the first complete design overhaul since the channels originally launched. The exercise was aimed at giving the network a more unified and contemporary visual identity, while still retaining equity built over time in individual channel brands. That work touched everything from logos and colour palettes to promo packaging and on air graphics.

What should the industry know about this transition

For Sony Pictures Networks India, the announcement underscores a moment of continuity and change. Gaurav Banerjee, managing director and chief executive officer, acknowledged Shah as a valued part of the network, crediting him with contributing to several key brand and business milestones. Banerjee highlighted his leadership, clarity of thought and consumer first approach as foundations that helped strengthen multiple portfolios.

Shah, in turn, described the organisation as a defining part of his professional life, emphasising the trust and opportunities he received over the years. He noted the privilege of working with teams across the company and expressed pride in what they had built together. As he prepares to explore new avenues, he carries forward both learnings and long standing relationships from his time at the network.

How does a departure like this affect channel brands

Senior leaders in clusters such as movies and infotainment often act as anchors for both internal teams and external partners. They work with content creators, media agencies, distribution partners and advertisers, balancing creative and commercial priorities. When such a leader steps away, organisations typically rely on robust systems and succession planning to maintain momentum.

In this case, Sony Pictures Networks India has indicated that a succession plan will be announced later. Until then, the structured handover period gives the company time to ensure that brand strategies, programming plans and market facing initiatives continue without disruption.

As the network moves into its next phase, the exit of Tushar Shah Sony Pictures Networks India brings to a close a long tenure that helped shape some of its most recognisable channels, while opening space for a new leadership chapter across movies, regional, FTA and infotainment.

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