MAM
Piyush Kale joins JioStar as director programming strategy and insights
Media strategist brings experience from Star TV Network and Network18.
MUMBAI: In the fast moving world of television strategy, sometimes the biggest story unfolds behind the screens rather than on them. Piyush Kale has taken on a new role as director – programming strategy and insights at JioStar, strengthening the company’s leadership bench in programming analytics and audience strategy. Kale shared the update on his professional network, announcing that he has stepped into the position after several years working in programming strategy roles across India’s broadcast and media landscape.
Before joining JioStar, Kale served as manager – programming strategy and Insights at Star TV Network, a role he held from December 2019, where he focused on analysing viewership trends and helping shape programming strategies using audience data.
Earlier in his career, Kale spent 3 years and 7 months at Network18 Media & Investments Limited in multiple roles including manager, assistant manager and senior executive. During this period, he worked on media analytics, programming insights and market research aimed at improving channel performance and content scheduling decisions.
His professional journey began in the television research ecosystem with TAM Media Research Pvt. Ltd., where he spent 1 year and 6 months, first as a management trainee in 2015 and later as a senior executive.
At TAM, Kale’s work focused on translating television viewership data into actionable insights for broadcasters and advertisers. His responsibilities included analysing audience behaviour at a micro level for new channel launches, advising networks on programming schedules, repeats, distribution and promotion strategies, and delivering performance reports on TV channels and radio stations.
He also worked closely with advertisers, analysing data across product categories and media platforms including television, print and radio, while preparing weekly reports on channel performance and audience trends.
With more than a decade of experience spanning media analytics, audience behaviour and programming strategy, Kale’s move to JioStar comes at a time when broadcasters and streaming platforms are increasingly relying on data led insights to shape content decisions.
In a market where programming strategy is becoming as much about algorithms as it is about storytelling, Kale’s expertise in audience intelligence and media analytics could play a key role in guiding JioStar’s programming roadmap in the evolving Indian entertainment ecosystem.
MAM
Republic Media Network appoints Mohit Dhamne as group CEO
Founding member elevated as network reports 149 million monthly digital users
NEW DELHI: Republic Media Network has appointed Mohit Dhamne as its group chief executive officer, elevating a founding member who has been part of the organisation since its inception in 2016.
Dhamne’s rise within the network has been steady and multi-layered. He began as head of finance, later taking on responsibilities as company secretary and EVP (Finance), before being elevated to chief financial officer in December 2023. In his new role, he will now oversee the group’s overall strategic and operational direction.
The network described him as a key architect of its evolution into one of India’s leading broadcast and digital news platforms. He brings cross-functional expertise spanning finance, law and management, backed by qualifications as a chartered accountant, company secretary, and a postgraduate management degree from the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad.
Congratulating him, Arnab Goswami said Dhamne has been instrumental in shaping the organisation’s growth journey since inception. He added that the founding team’s shared experience and leadership framework will help the network pursue new opportunities and scale further.
The appointment comes at a time of strong momentum for the network. Over recent months, Republic has expanded its core business team by 30 per cent and strengthened its leadership structure with senior executives managing defined revenue portfolios across platforms.
On the digital front, Republic Digital has reported 149 million monthly users, according to Comscore data, reinforcing its position as one of India’s most widely consumed digital news offerings.
The growth has also been supported by expansion in its integrated brand solutions division, Republic Brand Studio, as the network continues to build a more diversified revenue ecosystem.
With this leadership transition, Republic Media Network is positioning itself for its next phase of expansion, combining broadcast strength with accelerating digital scale.
