Uday Shankar is IBF president

He replaces Man Jit Singh, who has relocated to the US.

Star India CEO Uday Shankar has been appointed as the new president of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF). The announcement was made at the 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of IBF in New Delhi on September 10.

He replaces Man Jit Singh, who has relocated to the US as president of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. This is Shankar's second stint as the IBF president - he held the position from 2010-2012.

The IBF Board also elected Punit Goenka (MD and CEO, Zee Entertainment Enterprises) as vice president - Measurement, N P Singh (CEO, Multi Screen Media India) as vice president - Distribution, Rajat Sharma (chairman and editor-in chief of India TV) as vice president - Strategic Affairs and Rahul Johri (executive vice-president and general manager, South Asia and head of revenue, pan-regional ad sales and Southeast Asia at Discovery) as Treasurer.

Says Shankar, "I am privileged to lead the industry body at a critical juncture when the industry needs to leap to the next level by working collaboratively with the Government and other stake holders. Punit Goenka would have been my personal preference for the President's role since I have already done a stint as IBF president. However, in view of Punit's existing commitment to BARC, he proposed that I hold the reins at IBF."

For the record, Indian Broadcasting Foundation is a not-for-profit industry association. It represents - and is dedicated to - the promotion of television broadcasting in, to and from India. IBF members provide channels and programmes that deliver about 90 per cent of television viewership in India. The Foundation provides a meeting ground for its members to work in consensus on common goals.