MUMBAI: After months of speculation, the news is finally official. Prannoy Roy’s NDTV Group has announced the appointment of ex-Star Entertainment CEO Sameer Nair as the CEO of its new entertainment venture – NDTV Imagine.

Nair will spearhead the group’s foray into the entertainment space, starting with a Hindi general entertainment channel, which is expected to launch later this year, and will later also be expanding into other genres like movies, regional, youth and kids programming.

Earlier this year, the group had also inked a partnership with filmmaker Karan Johar and his production house Dharma Productions. Johar will be the creative consultant and ambassador of NDTV. Additionally, Dharma Productions holds an equity stake in NDTV Imagine and will also produce shows for the channel.

NDTV chairman Prannoy Roy said, “To have on-board one of India’s most successful media personalities, is a great privilege for the NDTV Group. Sameer is not just an outstanding leader; he brings with him a creative genius that has transformed mass entertainment in the country. His stellar achievements in his previous assignment speak for themselves. Sameer joins us at an exciting time when the group is poised for its next big leap to becoming a global media powerhouse. Sameer will play a key role in NDTV achieving this vision.”

“I’m am honoured to be part of a media Group that is so well respected and well positioned for future growth. The market has seen some shifting sands in recent months and both the audience and environment are ready for a change. The economy is booming, the mood is upbeat, the distribution landscape is rapidly evolving and the opportunity for challenging the creative status quo is clear and present. I look forward to seizing this tremendous opportunity,” added Nair.

“This is an important milestone for NDTV. Sameer’s expertise in television entertainment, Karan Johar’s unmatched talent and NDTV’s leadership have come together to set new benchmarks in Indian entertainment,” noted an official communiqué.

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