Prajjal Saha
Media

All's well with STAR, yet...

STAR India denies the resignations. But the industry grapevine is rife with rumours that some senior STAR officials at the level of president and V-P have quit

Officially, STAR isn't talking about it. But lately, there has been news that some senior STAR officials at the level of president and V-P have quit, or have gone on a 'long' leave.

Let's start with Shyam Haridas, vice president, north, ad sales, STAR. Sources confirm that Haridas has put in his papers. He was heading Delhi operations of STAR Plus, STAR Gold, and STAR Vijay.

Sources say Haridas will be moving to Australia. When contacted, a senior official at the Star's ad sales department said, "Yes, Haridas is going to Australia for personal reasons".

STAR is yet to decide on Haridas' replacement, but sources confirm that there will be a high-level restructuring at STAR's ad sales team.

Similarly, sources suggest that the high-profile Raveena Raj Kohli, president, Star News, has quit. Officially, she has gone on leave. However, the industry grapevine is agog with suggestions that she has actually put in her papers and is gone for good.

When agencyfaqs! spoke to Kohli to confirm the development, she tried to avoid the question, saying that she was in a meeting and would call back later. That awaited 'call' never came. Later, when we tried to contact her again, she did not pick up the phone.

It is rumoured that Kohli is likely to join Turner Broadcasting as there has been some vacancies at the top.

The reason behind Kohli calling it a day at STAR News is probably owing to the fact that while she was hired by STAR India to run STAR News, she may have felt out of place after the ABP group took over the management control of STAR News.

Industry sources say even STAR's radio business is witnessing a turnover. As per sources, Praveen Malhotra, station head and vice president of Radio City, has put in her papers last week. However, when Sumantra Dutta, chief operating officer, Radio City was contacted, he said, "No, she is still with us, but at present she is on leave."

STAR India, on the whole, is doing good business in India. STAR Plus is the numero uno channel in the general entertainment genre. Its bouquet of other channels includes STAR News, STAR Gold, STAR Movies, STAR World, Channel [V], STAR Vijay and the recently launched STAR Utsav. As reported by agencyfaqs! earlier, STAR News has registered a 90 per cent growth in viewership in the Hindi speaking states during the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. Radio City has also emerged as the no. 1 channel in Mumbai, while it holds the second position in Delhi, as per Indian Listenership Track 2004. © 2004 agencyfaqs!

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