Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) Announces Leadership Transition in its Kids and Animation Portfolio

Leena Lele Dutta, who has spearheaded the portfolio including the kids' linear channel Sony YAY! since its launch in 2017, will step down as Business Head towards the end of this fiscal year. Under her stewardship, Sony YAY! has become a leading destination for children's entertainment, celebrated for its engaging animated series, original content, and expansion into animation production and ancillary business streams. Her strategic vision and commitment have been instrumental in building a thriving kids and animation ecosystem, positioning it as a vital contributor to SPNI's success.

Succeeding Leena in this role is Ambesh Tiwari, who recently joined Sony YAY! as Business Operations Head. With extensive experience across Star India, Life OK, and Zee Entertainment where he played a pivotal role in launching Zee Keralam and Zee Punjabi. Ambesh is well-prepared to lead Sony YAY! into its next chapter. His academic credentials, including an MBA from the University of Oxford, Young India Fellowship from Ashoka University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Media Law and Public Policy from NALSAR University, further enhance his readiness for this role.

Leena will collaborate closely with Ambesh over the coming months to ensure a seamless transition. SPNI acknowledges Leena’s remarkable contributions to the business and extends its best wishes for her future endeavours.

With Ambesh at the helm, SPNI is confident in Sony YAY!'s continued growth and success as it delivers exceptional entertainment for young audiences.

About Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited (formerly known as Sony Pictures Networks India):

Sony Pictures Networks India is the consumer-facing identity of Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited, which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, Japan. 

The Company has several channels including Sony Entertainment Television (SET and SET HD), one of India's leading Hindi general entertainment television channels; Sony MAX, India's premium Hindi movies and special events channel; Sony MAX 2, another Hindi movie channel showcasing great India Cinema; Sony MAX HD, a high definition Hindi movie channel airing premium quality films; Sony WAH, the Hindi movies channel for rural markets; Sony SAB and Sony SAB HD the family-oriented Hindi comedy entertainment channels; Sony PAL, a genre leader in rural Hindi speaking markets (HSM) showcasing the best of Hindi general entertainment and Hindi movies from its content library; Sony PIX and Sony PIX HD, Sony BBC Earth and Sony BBC Earth HD, the premium factual entertainment channels, Sony AATH, the Bangla entertainment channel; Sony YAY!, the kids entertainment channel; Sony Sports Network – Sony Sports Ten 1,  Sony Sports Ten 1 HD, Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 2 HD, Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony Sports Ten 3 HD; Sony Sports Ten 4, Sony Sports Ten 4 HD; Sony Sports Ten 5; Sony Sports Ten 5 HD; Sony Marathi, the Marathi general entertainment channel; Sony LIV - the digital entertainment VOD platform and Studio NEXT the independent production venture for original content and IPs for TV and digital media. The Company reaches out to over 700 million viewers in India and is available in 167 countries.

The Company is recognised as an employer of choice within and outside the media industry. It is a recipient of several awards, including India’s Best Companies to Work For 2021 by the Great Place to Work® Institute, India, ‘Aon Best Employers India’ awards in recognition of the company’s unique workplace culture and exceptional people practices, consistently ranking amongst India’s Top 10 Companies with Best Health & Wellness Practices by SHRM & CGP Partners and listed by Working Mother & AVTAR as one of the 100 Best Companies for Women in India.  

The Company is in its 29^th year of operations in India. Besides having overseas subsidiaries, it has a subsidiary MSM-Worldwide Factual Media Private Limited, and an affiliate, Bangla Entertainment Private Limited in India. 

For more information, log onto www.sonypicturesnetworks.com