MAM
Zee appoints Devika Kawle as vice president, syndication
Content licensing veteran moves from Sony to drive global partnerships and distribution
MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises has strengthened its syndication play, appointing Devika Kawle as vice president, syndication, as the broadcaster sharpens its focus on global content distribution and partnerships.
Kawle, an experienced media professional with a cross-functional career spanning creative, production and management roles, announced her move, saying she looks forward to “contributing to Zee’s incredible legacy, exploring new partnerships, and driving meaningful growth across markets.”
She joins Zee after nearly six years at Sony Pictures Networks India, where she last served as senior manager, content licensing (digital). During her tenure, she played a key role in shaping SonyLIV’s content strategy and was recognised with multiple internal honours, including the World of Winners Award 2025 for her role in the platform’s growth.
Her experience cuts across global content syndication, licensing, acquisition and distribution across television and digital platforms, including feature films, series, sports, live television channels and OTT applications. She has also worked across international event sales, post-production for feature films, production of events and digital video, and marketing across ATL, BTL and digital channels.
Before Sony, Kawle held roles at IN10 Media Network, where she managed syndication and content acquisition, and at Shemaroo Entertainment, where she led international business initiatives across EMEA markets, driving revenue through content sales, app integrations and linear channel distribution.
Her early career includes a stint at Indian Television Dot Com Group, working on global trade events such as MIPTV, MIPCOM and MIDEM across Cannes, China, Singapore and the US, where she handled conference programming, partnerships, marketing and client servicing.
Kawle also brings production experience from Double Negative and Prime Focus World, where she worked on major international film projects including Avengers: Age of Ultron, Furious 7 and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.
At Zee, she is expected to leverage this diverse background to expand syndication deals, deepen international distribution networks and unlock new revenue streams across platforms.
“Grateful for all the support and excited for what lies ahead,” Kawle said, adding, “Let’s connect, collaborate, and create impactful stories together.”
With streaming and global content trade intensifying, Kawle’s appointment signals Zee’s intent to scale its syndication engine and compete more aggressively across markets.
In a business where content travels faster than ever, Zee is betting on experience, networks and execution to stay ahead.
Brands
RPSG’s Sudhir Langer exits days before IPL 2026
Timing sharpens focus on stake sale buzz and LSG’s tightening financial playbook
MUMBAI: RPSG ( RP-Sanjiv Goenka) Ventures has sprung a late leadership surprise just as the IPL drumroll begins. Sudhir Langer will step down as whole-time director and from the board effective March 31, days after the 2026 Indian Premier League season kicks off on March 28.
The timing is hard to ignore. RPSG Ventures owns Lucknow Super Giants, and Langer’s exit lands in a narrow pre-tournament window when operational focus is typically at its peak.
The move also coincides with chatter around a potential stake sale. According to a Moneycontrol report, the RPSG Group, led by Sanjiv Goenka, is exploring options to offload up to a 15 per cent stake in the franchise. There has been no official confirmation.
RPSG had acquired the Lucknow franchise in November 2021 for Rs 7,090 crore, among the highest bids in IPL history. The team operates under RPSG Sports Private Limited and carries a sizeable annual franchise fee obligation of Rs 709 crore through FY31.
Financials underline both scale and strain. The franchise remains heavily reliant on central revenue distribution from the Board of Control for Cricket in India. In H1 FY26, it received Rs 399 crore as its share of franchise rights, compared with Rs 458 crore in FY25, the single largest contributor to income.
Total revenue for H1 FY26 stood at Rs 495.9 crore, with profit at Rs 63.7 crore. Yet FY25 saw a softer showing: revenue fell about 20 per cent to Rs 557 crore, weighed down by fewer matches and a lower league finish in the 2024 season. Growth has since been modest, with H1 FY26 revenue rising roughly 3 per cent year on year.
That leaves LSG balancing on a familiar IPL tightrope: strong central inflows, volatile on-field-linked earnings and a hefty fixed fee burden.
With a leadership exit, stake-sale speculation and a new season about to begin, Goenka’s cricket bet is entering a decisive phase—where timing, performance and capital strategy will all have to click.
