Danish Khan to exit Sony Pictures India

Danish Khan, Business Head – Sony LIV and Studio NEXT, will be transitioning out of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) after a decade with the company to pursue new opportunities. Khan will continue with SPNI until the end of the current financial year on March 31 to ensure business continuity.Khan has spent over 20 years at SPNI across two stints. In his current tenure, he joined the network 10 years ago as Business Head of Sony Entertainment Television (SET) before going on to lead Studio NEXT and later Sony LIV, which he has headed since 2019.During his time at Sony LIV, Khan led the platform’s relaunch as Sony LIV 2.0 and significantly scaled the digital business. Under his leadership, Sony LIV recorded more than five-fold growth in topline revenue and four times growth in monthly active users over five years, contributing nearly a quarter of SPNI’s overall revenue, while maintaining a focus on profitability. The platform delivered several acclaimed titles including Scam, Maharani, Rocket Boys, Freedom at Midnight, Tabbar and Shark Tank.As Business Head of SET, Khan oversaw the creation of key non-fiction properties such as The Kapil Sharma Show, Kaun Banega Crorepati, Super Dancer and Superstar Singer, along with fiction shows including Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai, Ek Duje Ke Vaaste, Kuch Rang Pyaar Ke Aise Bhi, Beyhadh and Patiala Babes. He is also credited with establishing Studio NEXT, which produced formats such as Shark Tank, Freedom at Midnight and Kaun Banega Crorepati.Commenting on the development, Gaurav Banerjee, MD & CEO, Sony Pictures Networks India, said, “Danish has been a key part of SPNI’s growth journey over the years, contributing across television, studio and digital businesses. We thank him for his leadership and the strong foundation he leaves behind, and wish him the very best for the future.”Danish Khan said, “Sony Pictures Networks India has been an incredibly important part of my professional journey. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some exceptional teams and leaders, and to be part of building businesses and brands that truly matter. As I transition to the next chapter, I remain deeply grateful for the trust, support and shared ambition that defined my time here, and I wish the teams at Sony LIV and Studio NEXT continued success in the years ahead.”The company said it will share updates on the succession plan in due course.Sony Pictures Networks India is the consumer-facing identity of Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, Japan.