ITV News
SPNI expands into southern markets with Sony Vizha, Sony Telugu launch
Kannada sports, Tamil and Telugu GECs lined up for 2026
NEW DELHI: Culver Max Entertainment, formerly Sony Pictures Networks India, has confirmed the launch of five new channels in its latest Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO), signalling an assertive push into southern language markets.
The slate spans sports and general entertainment. A dedicated Kannada sports feed, Sony Sports Ten 4 Kannada, will debut on 1 April, 2026, marking the first rollout.
The broadcaster has also proposed two Tamil general entertainment channels, Sony Vizha and Sony Vizha HD, slated for launch on or after June 1, 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
In Telugu, two GECs: Sony Telugu and Sony Telugu HD are proposed for launch on or after 1 August, 2026, again contingent on clearances. The RIO notes that the Telugu channel names remain tentative, though the genre and language positioning are locked in.
All five channels carry an a la carte maximum retail price of Rs 19, placing them squarely within competitive bouquet strategies in appointment-driven southern television markets.
The expansion underscores Culver Max’s intent to deepen its footprint in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada ecosystems, long dominated by entrenched regional players and fiercely loyal audiences.
(Note: The cover image is AI-generated and meant for representational purposes only.)
ITV News
Policybazaar CEO Tarun Mathur steps down
Sajja Praveen Chowdary named successor as insurance platform reshuffles leadership.
MUMBAI: Tarun Mathur has decided to close his policy at Policybazaar after years of steering the insurance aggregator. Policybazaar has announced that Tarun Mathur has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer and Principal Officer of the company, a wholly owned subsidiary of PB Fintech. Sajja Praveen Chowdary will take over as the new CEO and will also serve as whole-time director.
Chowdary, who joined the PB Fintech Group in 2011, has held leadership roles across multiple verticals. He currently heads “Policybazaar for Business,” the corporate and SME insurance and reinsurance arm. Under his leadership, this segment has grown into one of the fastest-expanding business insurance brokers in India and is positioning itself as a one-stop destination for such products.
A marketing professional with over 17 years of experience, Chowdary brings expertise in business management, product and technology management, business development, and project management in the e-commerce space.
Tarun Mathur began his career at HeroITES and later worked with ebookers and FE Global Technology Services. He joined Policybazaar as a co-founder and associate director of business development.
The leadership change comes as Policybazaar continues to strengthen its position in both retail and business insurance segments in a highly competitive market.
In the fast-paced world of insurtech, where policies change hands as quickly as premiums, Policybazaar has handed the baton to a long-time insider. With Chowdary at the wheel, the company appears well-positioned to keep its growth momentum rolling.
