MUMBAI: This morning, we broke the news that Business Television India (BTVI) COO Megha Tata had put in her papers. Her last day at the business news channel would be 15 March 2019. We had an inkling that she would hop on to Discovery India as its India (more specifically south Asia) boss, filling a position that has been vacant since Karan Bajaj quit to set up his own venture. But pending confirmation, we did not put out the report.

This morning the confirmation came in as Discovery Asia Pacific sent out a release stating that the broadcast veteran and affable professional is indeed taking over Discovery Communications India as it south Asia managing director.  She will be joining the firm effective 1 April 2019. A veteran of the media & entertainment industry, Megha has received multiple industry accolades in an illustrious career spanning more than 28 years. She has held leadership positions across eminent broadcasters such as BTVI, HBO, Turner International, and STAR TV. 

Megha will be based in Mumbai and report to Discovery Asia Pacific managing director and Discovery International chief financial officer Simon Robinson.

“Megha is a seasoned professional, with an extensive and proven track record of leading multiple broadcast businesses in India. We are incredibly excited to welcome Megha, and her vision, at this important juncture as we aim to actualize the potential of such a key market,” said Simon Robinson. “I look to her leadership to provide a differentiated strategic direction to Discovery India with twin objectives of – accelerating growth in the core business and strengthen the product portfolio with new offerings in line with the evolving expectations of the market.”

Commenting on the development, Megha Tata, said, “Having been a passionate superfan of Discovery myself, I am really excited to lead Discovery’s mandate in the region. I look forward to working closely with the India management team to help build an aggressive growth path for the company in this rapidly changing media landscape.”