Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) today announced a significant strategic appointment, naming Mukund Acharya as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO), effective immediately. Acharya, a seasoned technology leader with over 29 years of experience, joins SPNI from Disney+ Hotstar (now JioStar), where he served as Head of Engineering.
In his pivotal new role at SPNI, Mukund Acharya will be responsible for spearheading the company’s consolidated technology portfolio. This comprehensive oversight will encompass key divisions including the Enterprise Technology Group (ETG), LIV Technology (for Sony LIV), and Broadcast Operations and Network Engineering (B.O.N.E.). His primary mandate will be to drive SPNI’s ambitious digital transformation agenda, foster a culture of innovation, and ensure a robust strategic alignment between the company’s overarching business goals and its technology initiatives across both its traditional linear broadcast channels and its burgeoning digital platforms.
Acharya brings to SPNI deep expertise in critical areas such as platform engineering, scalability, and product innovation, capabilities that are increasingly crucial in the rapidly evolving media and entertainment industry. During his tenure as Head of Engineering at Disney+ Hotstar (now JioStar), he led several mission-critical projects. These included the successful integration of the JioCinema and Hotstar applications – a complex undertaking following major industry shifts – and the seamless delivery of marquee live sporting events, notably the ICC World Cups in 2023, 2024, and 2025, which demanded immense technological resilience and scale. His extensive prior experience also includes senior technology leadership roles at other global organizations such as Yahoo and InMobi.
Mukund Acharya will report directly to Gaurav Banerjee, Managing Director and CEO, SPNI. He is also slated to work closely with the leadership team of Sony LIV, SPNI’s popular streaming platform, to support its next phase of platform evolution and accelerated growth.
Commenting on the key appointment, Gaurav Banerjee stated, “Mukund’s proven leadership in technology-led transformation makes him an invaluable addition to our team. As we expand our digital and broadcast capabilities, his role will be critical in aligning our technology roadmap with our vision for growth and innovation.”
This strategic hiring underscores SPNI’s commitment to strengthening its technological backbone as it navigates the competitive landscape of Indian media, aiming to leverage advanced tech to enhance content delivery, audience engagement, and operational efficiency across its diverse portfolio.
Key Highlights:
- Mukund Acharya has been appointed as the new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), effective June 19, 2025.
- In his role, Acharya will lead SPNI’s entire technology portfolio, including Enterprise Technology, Sony LIV Technology, and Broadcast Operations, driving digital transformation and innovation across linear and digital platforms.
- He brings 29 years of experience, notably from his previous role as Head of Engineering at Disney+ Hotstar (now JioStar), where he oversaw major platform integrations and live sports event deliveries.
- Acharya will report to SPNI MD & CEO Gaurav Banerjee and collaborate closely with the Sony LIV leadership to enhance the streaming platform’s growth and evolution.