Sameer Nair Exits Imagine

NEW DELHI: Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific has set its sights on improving the performance of its Imagine entertainment network in India, acquired in 2009, with plans to integrate the channel into its entertainment division under Sunny Saha, resulting in the exit of Sameer Nair.

"While Imagine has enjoyed some significant successes in distinctive programming and built a solid audience base for a young channel in an extremely competitive genre, we need to improve the channel’s overall performance and best position it for sustainable long term growth," said Steve Marcopoto, the president of Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific (TBSAP). "Sameer and I agree that the best way to achieve this end is for him to move on and merge the Turner General Entertainment Networks [division in India] to operate within the entertainment division of TBSAP. I want to express my sincere gratitude for all that Sameer has done to create Imagine, develop a great team, and provide us the opportunity to compete in the Hindi GE space.”

Nair, who was the CEO of Star Entertainment India before taking the reins at Imagine (formerly owned by NDTV Networks), added, “It’s been an incredible entrepreneurial experience for me these past four years, building brand and team Imagine and competing in the marketplace. I leave behind a great team with great ideas in safe hands and wish Imagine every success in future as I pursue new challenges.”

Imagine will be placed under the interim management of Sunny Saha, senior VP and general manager for the entertainment networks of TBSAP, and the Turner India management team with transitional support from Nair in the coming months.