GECs
Nigel Robbins replaces Frank Brown as MTV Networks Asia-Pacific president
MUMBAI: MTV Networks International has promoted its Australia head Nigel Robbins to the position of MTV Networks Asia-Pacific president.
Robbins replaces Frank Brown, who announced he was quitting in September. Robbins is currently MTV Networks Australia managing director. A replacement for Robbins in Australia has not yet been announced.
Based out of Singapore, Robbins will be responsible for driving the growth of MTV, Nickelodeon and VH1 in the Asia-Pacific, as well as developing new brands and businesses in the region.
In addition, it was announced today that effective immediately, MTV Networks Japan will operate as a separate division to MTV Networks Asia-Pacific, recognising the unique nature and importance of this key market.
MTVN Japan executive vice-president and managing director Peter Bullard will continue to lead the Japanese operations, which include managing MTVNI’s interest in its MTV Japan joint venture, as well as its digital media brand Flux and Nickelodeon’s channel, licensing and syndication businesses.
Robbins and Bullard will report to MTVN vice-chairman and MTV Networks International president Bill Roedy.
Robbins is credited with leading MTV to market leadership in Australia, launching Vh1 and is also on the board of Nickelodeon.
Robbins has spent 12 years with MTVN in the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on both the creative and commercial realms. Prior to his Australian assignment he ran the MTV Japan joint venture, and was in charge of content and creative at MTV Japan.
Prior to that he had a pan-regional role as MTV Networks Asia senior vice president, creative and content and was based in Singapore and Hong Kong.
For the last few months he has also been leading MTVN India, acting as interim managing director (after the departure of Alex Kuruvilla) until newly appointed MD Amit Jain takes charge in January.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
