MUMBAI: Monica Tata has been appointed managing director of HBO India.

Tata joins the home entertainment network with immediate effect. She will be based in Mumbai and report in to HBO Asia CEO Jonathan Spink.

At HBO India, she will be responsible for introducing and developing various initiatives to enhance the company?s offerings in India and its subcontinent, including providing strategic direction and managing partner relationships.

Spink said, ?We are pleased to have Monica join the HBO Asia family. With Monica?s experience in the industry and her familiarity with our brand and channels, she is the ideal candidate to develop and grow HBO?s brand and market share in South Asia."

Tata said, ?I am excited to join the HBO Asia family as I love the brand and this is an exciting opportunity for me."

There are three 24-hour HBO movie channels available to viewers in India ? HBO, the blockbuster movie channel which was launched in 2000, and two premium advertising free movie channels, HBO Defined and HBO Hits, launched earlier this year that showcase the best of Hollywood and Bollywood content in high-definition and standard-definition.

One of HBO?s aims this year will be to build the distribution of the two premium channels. Tata said that as of now they are on two platforms Dish TV and Airtel. "We are negotiating with the other operators."

Tata adds that Shruti Bajpai who was HBO South Asia country manager has relocated to Dubai. "She continues to oversee marketing activities for HBO."

Tata has over 23 years of media experience and was most recently the General Manager, Entertainment Networks, South Asia for Turner International India where she was responsible for steering and overseeing all network initiatives across Turner?s entertainment brand portfolio in South Asia.

Prior to joining Turner she was the senior vice president -
advertising sales, Star India, where she was responsible for
advertising revenue on Star Movies, Star World, Channel [V], National Geographic Channel and the History Channel.

MUMBAI: Turner International India & South Asia General Manager, Entertainment Networks Monica Tata has put in her papers.

After spending almost nine years, Tata?s lastday at Turner is 31 December.

Confirming the development to Indiantelevision.com, Tata said: "Yes I have put in my papers at Turner on Monday. My last day will be 31 December."

Without specifying her next move, Tata said she will remain in the broadcasting space. Monica joined Turner in 2004 as Vice President - Advertising Sales. Prior to that, she worked in Star India for nearly 12 years.

"It has been a gratifying experience at Turner for almost nine years and hopefully bigger challenges await me next year," she added.

Based in Mumbai, Tata was responsible for steering and overseeing all network initiatives across Turner?s entertainment brand portfolio in South Asia.

As head of the entertainment networks, Tata oversaw various business units. Her mandate included development, supervision and providing strategic direction to Turner?s diverse kids and English entertainment businesses including Cartoon Network, Pogo, WB and HBO.