Sony appoints Gurdip Bhangoo programming head

Multi Screen Media Pvt. Ltd (MSMPL) has roped in Gurdip Bhangoo as head, programming, Sony Entertainment Television (SET). SET is MSPL's flagship general entertainment channel (GEC). Bhangoo will join on October 1 and report to Albert Almeida, business head, SET India.

Earlier, Bhangoo was executive producer and head of the Asian programming unit of the BBC. He was with the BBC for 15 years.

Speaking to afaqs!, Almeida says, "We didn't have a programming head for quite a while. Bhangoo will oversee the creative development of our channel."

At BBC, Bhangoo was responsible for overseeing the development of ideas, content production and onscreen talent for the BBC Asian programming unit. "He is the ideal person to be at the helm of our programming because he is an experienced hand and has been associated with South Asia for a long period," says Almeida.

Bhangoo has produced a range of primetime output in genres ranging from drama, documentary, travelogue, history, popular culture and food. He was responsible for the BBC's award winning arts and entertainment series, Desi DNA, and the unit's first ever multiplatform music event with Asian Network Radio. Other titles to his credit are The Day India Burned: Partition; The Lost World of The Raj; Indian Food Made Easy; Saira Khan's Pakistan Adventure and Mumbai Uncovered.

Bhangoo says, "The SET role is particularly interesting for me because it gives me a challenging opportunity to generate big impact entertainment programming for the Indian market, a country that I have a strong connect with, thanks to my roots and my experience at the BBC."

He adds, "India is currently among the hottest markets to be in and the TV space is no different. I'm also excited to work with an innovative network owned and backed by SPTI."

Backed by Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI), MSMPL is involved in the operation and distribution of television channels and advertising sales in India. It is available in the US, the UK, Africa, West Asia, Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Nepal, Bangladesh, the Maldives and Malaysia.

MSMPL is one of the leading television channel operators in the region. The bouquet offered by it comprises the Hindi general entertainment channel, Sony Entertainment Television (SET); the premium movies and special events channel, SET Max; the Hindi entertainment channel, SAB; and the English movie channel, SET Pix.