MUMBAI: SET Discovery president Shantonu Aditya has quit and is joining Sahara One as chief executive officer. His responsiblity will extend to all Sahara's media and entertainment businesses (excluding news).

Aditya is likely to join Sahara One in the first week of July, a source said. SET India and Percept officials were not available for comment.

Sahara's media and entertainment businesses operate under Sahara One. Last year, Sahara entered into a joint venture management company with Percept. Aditya will replace Peter Isaac who was heading this company.

Sahara has ambitious movie plans with 40 projects on the floor. Aditya will drive this as well as the domestic and international distribution of movies. Sahara is also planning launch of a movie channel later this year.

According to information available with indiantelevision.com, Anuj Gandhi, second in the SET Discovery hierarchy, is tipped to succeed Aditya.

Aditya joined SET India in 2001 to lead Sony's distribution business. He went on to head the distribution joint venture company between SET India and Discovery Communications India set up in 2002.

SET Discovery expanded its bouquet and currently distributes not only the Sony and Discovery group of channels but also MTV, Nick, Animax, Ten Sports, Sab TV, NDTV 24x7, NDTV India and NDTV Profit.

A management graduate from XLRI Jamshedpur, Aditya had worked with UB group ( McDowell &Co ) in sales and marketing in Delhi and luggage major Blow Plast in various capacities.