BBC Global News names Naveen Jhunjhunwala as COO!

The BBC has today announced the appointment of Naveen Jhunjhunwala as Chief Operating Officer for the Indian operations of BBC Global News Ltd, the company which runs the BBC’s commercial news operations, BBC World News and BBC.com/news.

The role was created last year in recognition of the increasing importance of the Indian market to the organisation’s business ambitions. In addition to running the BBC's finance function in India Naveen will take responsibility for determining the BBC’s commercial priorities and targets for news across India and for monitoring performance in advertising revenues, content distribution and overall audience growth.

Naveen was previously with Turner International India where he served for many years, most recently as Vice President – Corporate Finance & Administration, overseeing the financial functions for distribution, ad sales and marketing of CNN International, Cartoon Network, POGO and Home Box Office (HBO) in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.

After joining Turner in 1999, he helped launch the company’s Indian operations, including the CN subscription business, the launch of new channels like HBO, POGO & WB, and the set-up of the Zee Turner distribution joint venture (including MediaPro) and CNN-IBN channel among others. Prior to Turner, he was with Ernst & Young, New Delhi.

Looking forward to his new role Naveen commented:

“I am delighted to be joining the BBC. I am looking forward to taking up my new role and to being part of the talented team at one of the world’s most renowned news operations.

“The BBC is an iconic brand and carries a special position for the Indian audience, and in today’s dynamic market place, with digitisation, growing online penetration and the BBC’s special focus on India, it has exceptional potential for growth in both television and online space.”

Welcoming Naveen to the BBC, Jim Egan, CEO of BBC Global News Ltd said, “I’m pleased to welcome Naveen on board at such an exciting time for the BBC's news interests in India.  Naveen brings with him a wealth of experience and will be a real asset to the BBC, building on the successful work to date of our teams in Delhi and Mumbai.

“India is a country we are proud to have been broadcasting to and from for more than seven decades and we remain committed to our audiences here. We have featured India in two dedicated programming seasons on BBC World News already this year, have recently launched a new Indian edition of bbc.com/mobile and are mid-way through our most comprehensive coverage ever of the Indian general election. I am sure Naveen will be invaluable as we work to develop even further in this exciting and dynamic market.”

Naveen will take up his position in Delhi on 1st May. He replaces Preet Dhupar who left the BBC in April.