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Shankar’s star rises at Fox Asia

21st Century Fox in the US has promoted the head of its Star India network to president of its Asian operations.

Uday Shankar

Uday Shankar has become president of 21st Century Fox Asia and will lead the company’s video businesses across the continent, including Star and Fox Networks Group. Additionally, he will work with the central Fox leadership on regional strategy.

Shankar will retain his CEO and chairman positions at Star, which is one of India’s largest media and entertainment companies.

He has held the post since 2007, overseeing initiatives in distribution through Media Pro, movies through Fox Studio, regional television through Asianet and sports, the latter following Fox (then News Corp)’s acquisition of its joint venture with ESPN in 2012.

Zubin Gandevia, president of Fox Networks Group Asia, will continue to oversee video brands across 14 markets and now reports to Shankar under the new regional structure. Fox’s film business in Asia will continue to report to Stacey Snider, chairman and CEO of 20th Century Fox Film.

“Uday’s new role will enhance our strategic focus across all of Asia and enable us to further capture opportunities, building on the transformation Star India has driven in our most important growth market,” said Lachlan Murdoch, Fox’s executive chairman, and CEO James Murdoch.

The move comes as 21st Century Fox is close to agreeing a deal with Disney that will see the Mouse House buy numerous assets from Fox, including Star India, its 39% stake in European satcaster Sky and its film and television studios.

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