Piyush Kale joins JioStar as director programming strategy and insights

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.