iWorld
SonyLIV appoints Sreedhar Reddy Komalla as Telugu Content head
Kolkata: SonyLIV has appointed Sreedhar Reddy Komalla as Telugu Content head, Digital Business. In his new role, Reddy will primarily focus on leading the expansion plans of the Telugu vertical of SonyLIV for users across markets.
Sreedhar Reddy Komalla, also known as Madhura Sreedhar Reddy in Telugu film industry, is known for his exemplary contribution to Telugu cinema. He started his film career by establishing the music label Madhura Audio and shaped it as one of the top music labels in Telugu Cinema. His first directorial film Sneha Geetham fetched him the Best Debutante Director award. The award-winning director later directed, produced, and distributed several concept-based movies in the last 10 years.
A mechanical engineering graduate from NIT Warangal, he completed his MS (Research) from IIT Madras and received Gold Medal for his MS thesis. He worked for major multinational IT companies like TCS, Infosys, Wipro, and Tech Mahindra for 11 years and left IT career to pursue his filmmaking dreams. He is also an active member of various Telugu Filmmakers Groups such as the Telugu Film Directors Association, Telugu Producers Council, Active Telugu Film Producers Guild amongst others.
SonyLIV Telugu content head Madhura Sreedhar Reddy said: “I am excited and looking forward to my new innings at SonyLIV. My role here is to extend SonyLIV’s footprint in the Telugu market and churn out homegrown content which caters to users across geographies.”
After onboarding Dr. G Dhananjayan for strengthening the Tamil portfolio, Reddy’s appointment deepens the roots of SonyLIV in the southern market. At SonyLIV, Reddy will be responsible for bolstering the Telugu content library. With long-standing experience across verticals of the Telugu industry, Reddy will oversee the development plans of the platform in the region, the platform said on Wednesday.
SonyLIV and SET content head Ashish Golwalkar said: “We are delighted to have Madhura Sreedhar Reddy at SonyLIV to head the Telugu portfolio. Reddy brings with him a diversified experience that will help us chart out growth for Telugu content and offer captivating stories of India to our audience across genres.”
iWorld
Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square makes $64 billion bid to acquire Universal Music Group
Ackman pitches NYSE relisting plan as UMG board weighs unsolicited offer
The hedge fund has proposed a business combination that values UMG at €30.40 per share, representing a hefty 78 per cent premium to its current trading price. The offer includes €9.4 billion in cash alongside stock in a newly formed entity, with shareholders set to receive €5.05 per share in cash and 0.77 shares in the new company for each UMG share they hold.
Under the proposal, UMG would merge with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings Ltd and re-emerge as a Nevada-based entity listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The move is designed to boost investor visibility and potentially secure inclusion in major indices such as the S&P 500.
Pershing Square Capital Management ceo Bill Ackman argued that while UMG’s operational performance remains strong, its market valuation has lagged due to external factors. “UMG’s stock price has languished due to a combination of issues that are unrelated to the performance of its music business,” Ackman said, pointing to concerns ranging from shareholder overhang to delayed US listing plans.
Ackman also flagged what he sees as untapped potential in UMG’s balance sheet and a lack of clear capital allocation strategy. He added that the market has not fully recognised the value of UMG’s €2.7 billion stake in Spotify, alongside gaps in investor communication.
The proposed transaction would also result in the cancellation of around 17 per cent of UMG’s outstanding shares, while maintaining its investment-grade balance sheet. Pershing Square has said it will fully backstop the equity financing, with debt commitments secured at signing. The deal is targeted for completion by the end of the year.
UMG, however, has struck a measured tone. The company confirmed that its board has received the non-binding proposal and will review it with advisers. It reiterated confidence in its current strategy and leadership under Lucian Grainge, signalling no immediate shift in stance.
The proposal comes at a time when global music companies are navigating evolving investor expectations, streaming economics and capital allocation pressures. For Pershing Square, the bet is clear: sharpen the financial story, relist in the US, and let the music play louder in the markets.
Whether UMG’s board is ready to change the tune remains to be seen, but the spotlight on its valuation just got a lot brighter.
