Turner appoints Vivek Bahl as chief content officer for India

Bahl will oversee content strategy and development for Turner's diverse portfolio of entertainment brands in India including Imagine TV, Cartoon Network, Pogo and Warner Brothers.

Turner International has appointed Vivek Bahl as chief content officer for India. Bahl, who will join Turner on November 1, will be based in Turner's Mumbai office, and will oversee the content strategy and development for Turner's diverse portfolio of entertainment brands in India including Imagine TV, Cartoon Network, Pogo and Warner Brothers.

Bahl was at Star Network prior to his appointment at Turner International.

At Turner, Bahl will report to Mark Eyers, chief content officer, Turner Broadcasting System Asia-Pacific Inc., and will be responsible for all aspects of entertainment content. He will also oversee the acquisition, development, production, programme scheduling, and operations across each brand.

Bahl joins Turner with more than 25 years of entertainment experience and a cross-functional strategic perspective, which will augment the future growth of Turner's entertainment content business in India.

Announcing Bahl's appointment, Eyers says, "Turner is a content-focussed company at heart, and our significant investments in recent years have ensured a robust portfolio of entertainment brands. India remains a priority market for Turner and the addition of this senior strategic role will further our commitment to the media and entertainment industry here. I look forward to working with Bahl, an influential industry veteran, and deliver even more hit properties across the TV, digital and mobile space."

Bahl's experience spans across television, films and advertising. In the past, he has taken up various roles of creating, writing, programming, producing and directing entertainment content.

He has worked with the country's leading television networks including STAR TV, Zee TV and various television production houses on a number of popular fiction and non-fiction shows such as Banegi Apni Baat, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Antakshari, Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi, Saath Phere, Banoo Main Teri Dulhan, Betiyaan, Bidaai, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlaata Hai, Pratigya and Saath Nibhaana Saathiya.

With STAR Network, he co-produced the series Navya for Star Plus, and has also worked with Mahuaa Network in a consulting role, to set up its new regional channels.