Gaurav Banerjee formally appointed BARC Chairman

Gaurav Banerjee, Managing Director and CEO of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), was today officially appointed as the new Chairman of the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India. The appointment was approved in a BARC Board meeting. e4m was the first to report about the development in June.

A seasoned leader with more than two decades in the media and entertainment industry, Banerjee brings a rare blend of creative insight and business acumen to the role. At SPNI, he oversees the company’s strategic direction and operational efficiency while driving innovation and sustained market leadership. He also serves as Director on the boards of MSM-Worldwide Factual Media Pvt. Ltd. and Bangla Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. (BEPL).

Speaking on being elected as BARC India’s new Chairman, Gaurav Banerjee, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, SPNI, said, “BARC India continues to empower stakeholders across the ecosystem with data driven decision making and it is a privilege to take on the role of Chairman at the world’s largest television audience measurement company. A big thank you to Shashi Sinha for his exceptional leadership and steady guidance over the last three years. As we navigate a rapidly converging media landscape, I look forward to continue strengthening BARC’s position as a trusted and credible currency for TV measurement in India.”

Shashi Sinha, Executive Chairman of IPG Mediabrands India, and the outgoing Chairman of BARC India, said, “Over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to partner with BARC and the various committees at different levels. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the entire team at BARC for their unwavering support and collaboration. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to our new Chairman, Gaurav Banerjee. I am confident that with his unique leadership style, BARC will continue to grow and innovate to meet the evolving needs of our industry.”

Nakul Chopra, CEO, BARC India, added, “We welcome Gaurav Banerjee as our new Chairman. His leadership will be invaluable as BARC continues to evolve and serve the dynamic needs of the broadcast and advertising ecosystem. We would also like to express our deep respect and thanks to Shashi Sinha for his stewardship and commitment to BARC. His tenure has been instrumental in enhancing data granularity while reinforcing BARC’s dedication and commitment to the industry.”

Prior to SPNI, Banerjee played a pivotal role at Disney+ Hotstar as Head of Content, where his content strategy was instrumental in the platform’s meteoric rise. He curated a successful slate of originals catering to Hindi-speaking and regional audiences, contributing significantly to subscriber growth and viewership.

His earlier stint at Star India saw him lead the Hindi entertainment cluster, where he steered Star Plus and Star Gold to the top of the ratings charts. He also launched regional channels like Star Jalsha and Star Pravah, which quickly gained leadership positions. With roots in journalism, Banerjee began his career in news and holds a master’s degree in Filmmaking and TV Production from Jamia Millia Islamia University, along with a history degree from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. Off screen, he is a keen cricket enthusiast and a cinephile with a deep appreciation for film across genres.

Banerjee takes over from Shashi Sinha, who was appointed Chairman of BARC on March 25, 2022. During his tenure, BARC underwent significant transformation. Sinha championed the push for digital measurement, led initiatives to measure premium homes, and oversaw a consistent and significant rise in the number of installed meters—efforts that strengthened the credibility and granularity of the data. Widely respected as an industry voice, Sinha has consistently advocated for transparency and innovation in audience measurement.

Banerjee’s appointment comes at a critical juncture, as the industry continues to evolve rapidly across platforms and consumption formats. His leadership is expected to bring renewed momentum to BARC's ongoing efforts to stay relevant in a converged media landscape.