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Packer ropes in Sony programming head

Sony Entertainment Television’s programming head Ravina Kohli has resigned. She will join as chief executive officer of media mogul Kerry Packer’s television business in the country.

Kohli put in her papers last week and is serving a notice period, sources said. She will start her innings in Kerry Packer’s company not before a month’s time.

Kohli will initially look after Packer’s television software production for the Doordarshan’s Metro channel. Kohli’s role will expand as Packer has ambitious plans in the country, sources said.

Packer recently bought air-time on DD’s Metro channel which was put up for auction. Channel 9 is believed to have bid Rs. 59 crore for one year’s air-time purchase on DD metro. Packer will have four half-hour slots between 7 pm and 9 pm. The evening slots will provide Packer with a platform to make an entry into television programming in the country. Though it is uncertain if enough money can be generated from the time slot at such a high bid price, it will be beneficial for Packer’s future plans as he is already a late entrant in the country.

With the exit of Kohli, Sony will be without a programminag head. Rival network Zee TV has been experimenting with various heads after Vishnu Patel’s exit but is yet to find the right person. "There is a vacuum in the industry at that position," a media analyst said.
Kohli has been one of the main creative forces behind the popularity of Sony’s programming. Her greatest contribution was Movers & Shakers, though she popularised Heena, Weekend TV and Matinee TV. Admitted Vishnu Patel, former head of programming in Zee TV, "She introduced stand-up comedy in the country. Though Movers & Shakers does not enjoy the highest television rating points, it is a show which provides image to the channel. Even I was afraid to introduce that genre during my stint in Zee TV. Today, Sony is made on Aahat, Movers & Shakers and events."

Kohli also introduced a docu-drama, Bhanwar, on prime time for the first time in the country. Besides, she launched CID and Missing. "Bhanwar was not as highly successful as India’s Most Wanted. But she nurtured other programming properties which she inherited like Aahat," said Patel.

Sibabrata Das