NEW DELHI — Viacom18 Group COO Rajesh Kamat (who is also CEO of the broadcasting venture’s Hindi channel Colors) will now be heading to The Chernin Group’s CA Media as its India CEO.
Founded by former News Corp. president and COO and Fox Entertainment topper Peter Chernin, The Chernin Group’s Hong Kong based CA Media focuses on media, entertainment and technology businesses across Asia with a specific initial focus on India, China and Indonesia.
A broadcasting veteran, Kamat was instrumental in rocketing joint venture Viacom18’s Hindi entertainment channel Colors to the top of the ratings charts with innovative programming and marketing initiatives. Viacom18 is a joint venture between leading Indian broadcasting group Network18 and Viacom Inc.
Kamat headed Colors since its launch three years ago and was recently elevated to Viacom18 Group COO.
“Rajesh has played a significant part in extending and establishing Viacom18’s strong footprint in the general entertainment category. As he now moves on to a new challenge in a new role and domain, I wish him luck for his continued success,” Viacom 18 Group CEO Haresh Chawla said in a statement.
While a replacement for Kamat is not announced, in the interim, Colors management will report to Chawla. Kamat will continue to be with Viacom18 until June.
“My assignment with Viacom18 has been one of my most challenging as well as gratifying periods of my professional career,” said Kamat who earlier worked with Sony Entertainment Television. “Indian media and entertainment domain is bustling with developments that portend an exciting future and my next assignment with CA Media will give me the opportunity to create a blueprint for leveraging and monetizing such opportunities.”
