High-Profile Exits Signal Leadership Shakeup Amid Disney-Star and Viacom18 Merger
As the media landscape prepares for a significant transformation with the upcoming formal restructuring of the Disney-Star and Viacom18 merger, two influential executives—K. Madhavan, Country Manager & President of Disney Star, and Sajith Sivanandan, Head of Disney+ Hotstar India—have decided to exit the organization. Their departures mark the first high-profile exits since the merger was announced, hinting at substantial operational and leadership changes within the new entity.
Disney-Star’s Leadership Aware of Restructuring
According to sources familiar with the developments, senior leaders at Disney-Star were already informed about Madhavan’s and Sivanandan’s decisions to leave. The restructuring comes after the $8.5 billion merger, which aims to realign operations, create synergy between the two entities, and unlock growth opportunities across broadcasting, streaming, and digital media platforms. The reshuffle will involve leadership changes, expanded roles for certain executives, and new hires to steer the merged organization toward future growth.
Viacom18’s recent appointment of Ishan Chatterjee as Chief Business Officer for JioCinema reflects the group’s efforts to solidify its leadership as part of the integration process. However, Madhavan’s and Sivanandan’s departures, being key figures in Disney-Star’s success, signal potential challenges ahead as the merged entity aligns its operations and leadership.
K. Madhavan’s Legacy: Steering Disney Star to Regional Dominance
K. Madhavan has been instrumental in positioning Disney-Star as a leader across both the linear television and streaming sectors. As Country Manager & President, he was responsible for driving strategic growth across Disney-Star’s core verticals, including general entertainment, sports broadcasting, direct-to-consumer services, and studio operations. Madhavan’s oversight extended across channel distribution, advertising sales, and the production of local content, making Disney-Star a household name in India.
One of his key achievements was scaling Disney-Star’s content operations to produce nearly 20,000 hours of original programming annually. With over 70 channels broadcasting in nine regional languages, the company reaches close to 700 million viewers every month. His deep understanding of regional markets was evident in the company’s ability to cater to diverse audiences, helping Disney-Star establish a strong presence in both metropolitan and rural areas.
Madhavan’s expertise in regional entertainment was rooted in his earlier work with Asianet, where he served as Managing Director and CEO from 2000 to 2008. During his tenure, Asianet became the undisputed market leader in Malayalam television, securing more than 50% market share. Madhavan’s success in South India laid a strong foundation for Disney-Star’s expansion into regional entertainment, solidifying its dominance in these markets.
He joined Star India in 2009 as South Head, where he further developed regional channels and content portfolios, building a robust ecosystem that contributed to Disney-Star’s overall growth in India.
Sajith Sivanandan: Shaping the Growth of Disney+ Hotstar
Sajith Sivanandan, as Head of Disney+ Hotstar India, has played a key role in shaping the platform’s strategy, operations, and growth. Under his leadership, Disney+ Hotstar became India’s largest streaming platform, leveraging its portfolio of entertainment, sports, and premium content to capture a significant share of the digital audience. Sivanandan worked closely with Disney+ teams in regions like the United States, Asia-Pacific (APAC), and Europe-Middle East-Africa (EMEA) to align regional strategies and ensure seamless operations across markets.
Sivanandan’s efforts were instrumental in expanding the platform’s reach and subscriber base. His experience in driving revenue growth and product development was crucial in building Disney+ Hotstar’s position as a market leader. Before joining Disney-Star in 2022, he had extensive experience working across Southeast Asia and South Asia, bringing a wealth of expertise to his role.
He began his career at Star TV and went on to work with organizations like The Gallup Organization and mobile advertising firm Affle in Singapore. Later, Sivanandan joined Google, where he was responsible for building Google’s operations in Malaysia from the ground up. Over time, his responsibilities expanded to oversee operations across Vietnam, the Philippines, and other emerging markets.
After two decades in Southeast Asia, Sivanandan returned to India, where he was instrumental in scaling Google Pay’s operations, driving growth across multiple markets. His experience with digital ecosystems and payment platforms eventually brought him to Disney+ Hotstar, where he played a pivotal role in aligning the platform with India’s fast-evolving streaming landscape.
Leadership Changes Signal a New Era for the Merged Entity
The exits of K. Madhavan and Sajith Sivanandan mark a turning point for Disney-Star as it integrates with Viacom18 to form a larger, more competitive media entity. Both executives leave behind significant legacies that contributed to Disney-Star’s leadership in the Indian media space. Madhavan’s expertise in regional entertainment and broadcasting, coupled with Sivanandan’s success in expanding digital platforms, reflects the strength of Disney-Star’s operations.
As the restructuring moves forward, the newly merged entity will focus on aligning leadership roles, identifying synergies across platforms, and driving growth in key areas such as streaming, entertainment, and advertising. While their departures create a leadership vacuum, new appointments are expected to bring fresh perspectives and strategies to ensure the smooth integration and future success of the company.
This merger, with its $8.5 billion value, represents a significant shift in India’s media landscape. As the industry evolves, the combined strengths of Disney-Star and Viacom18 will aim to capitalize on emerging trends, cater to changing consumer preferences, and maintain a competitive edge in both traditional broadcasting and the digital streaming space.