Who goes where post Ten acquisition by Sony?

They were integral part of the system. Rather, they were the system for live editorial content, live action and editorial strategies for Ten Sports. Majority of them ever since Taj Television Limited Ten Sports went on air from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The team had moved in as a cohesive unit when TEN was acquired by India based Zee Television network.

In September 2013, the sports broadcast network had shifted its base from Dubai to Zee Television’s broadcast base in Noida. Three years later, the network is bought by Sony. Though Sony has not renamed the Ten channels, operational hub has now been shifted to Sony’s office in Mumbai, Malad, leading to the disintegration of the Ten Sports’ key editorial and production team.

Insidesport takes a stock of the movement of the key editorial functionaries after acquisition and placements.

HEMANT BUCH: A senior vice-president, Production, with Ten Sports is not joining the Sony group. The veteran broadcast administrator, producer and director will now work as an independent consultant, producer and director. However, Buch has been engaged by Sony for the West Indies-India series, where he will be the production head for live World Feed.

RADHAKRISHNAN SREENIVASAN: A vice-president, presenter and head soccer production at Ten, Radhakrishnan though has moved from Delhi NCR to Mumbai but he will be working as an independent professional and not join Sony. RK, as he is popularly knows, has been a live commentator for STAR Sports French Open broadcast. He has also done live commentary for STAR’s Tamil feed during India-Kyrgyzstan soccer tie.

NEERAJ JHA: Associate VP Production, Jha for now has stayed back with Ten Sports. He is in charge for the final phase of handover to Sony. However, there is no clarity on his role with Ten or Zee group once the all transfer procedures are complete by late July or early August. Jha, too, will work as an independent professional.

TURJA SEN: A senior editorial head with Ten Sports, Sen is among a few and the senior most professionals to be absorbed by Sony. He has joined as an assistant vice president, production. He will head live production for sports.

GAURAV S KARRIR: An associate vice president with ZEEL / Ten Sports, Karrir has joined the Delhi centre of Reliance-owned 92.7 BIG FM. Karrir as Head of Production is responsible for content, programs and new launches.

Among the Ten Sports / ZEEL senior producers, Wrick Ganguly, Abhinav Punshi and Abhimanyu Veer Singh have also joined Sony. Ganguly is involved with live production; Punshi, who was the main resource for the WWE programming at Ten, will continue to take care of professional wrestling entertainment at Sony too; whereas Abhimanyu, who was a producer for the golf events and shows at Ten, will for now be working with the cricket team.

In August last year, Sony had signed a $385 million (Rs 2,578 crore) deal to acquire the Ten Sports’  broadcast platforms.