#e4mExclusive:  IBDF board sees changes; Ashish Sehgal joins as director

The Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) has seen changes to its board, with Zoom Entertainment CEO Ashish Sehgal being inducted as a director, while president Kevin Vaz of JioStar and other key board members have been reappointed during the 27th Annual General Meeting of IBDF, people familiar with the development said.

I Venkat, who has been associated with the IBDF leadership, has stepped down from the board. 

John Brittas, managing director of Malayalam Communications, has replaced Venkat as a director, according to people familiar with the development.

The reappointment of Vaz and other key members provides continuity to the leadership of the industry body, which represents the interests of television broadcasters and digital media companies.

The board comprises senior executives representing several major broadcasters and media organisations. Key members include Vaz, Gaurav Banerjee of SPNI, Aroon Purie of TV Today Network, Jayant Mathew of MMTV and Punit Goenka of Zee Entertainment, among others.

Sehgal's induction brings another senior television industry executive onto the IBDF board. He is the CEO of Zoom Entertainment, the television and entertainment network operated by The Times Group.

The IBDF meeting also saw participation from several stakeholders from the broadcasting industry. Among those present was Sujay Cherukuri, Director of Eenadu TV and the grandson of late media entrepreneur Ramoji Rao.

The meeting also touched upon issues concerning television audience measurement and Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India, according to people familiar with the discussions. 

The latest board changes come as IBDF continues to engage with broadcasters, policymakers and other stakeholders on issues affecting the television and digital broadcasting ecosystem, including regulation, audience measurement and the business environment for broadcasters.

IBDF has been the principal industry body representing broadcasters on several policy and regulatory matters. Its members include some of India's largest television networks.