Sony’s StudioNEXT & SonyLIV Head Danish Khan to move on?
Danish Khan will continue with the Sony Group until March 2026 to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities across the network’s digital and production verticals
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Published: Nov 18, 2025 5:18 PM | 3 min read
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- Danish Khan has stepped down from his operational role at Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) but will remain with the Sony Group until March 2026 to facilitate a transition of responsibilities.
- He has been a significant influence in the Indian entertainment sector, notably leading the digital business SonyLIV and the independent production arm StudioNEXT, contributing to SPNI's content resurgence over the past decade.
- Khan was instrumental in the successful relaunch of SonyLIV in May 2020, which significantly increased its subscriber base and established it as a key player in the OTT market with popular original content.
- His career highlights include major roles at Star Plus, where he developed iconic shows, and overseeing successful formats at SPNI, including Kaun Banega Crorepati and Indian Idol, while also enhancing revenue initiatives and content strategies.
Danish Khan, one of the most influential leaders in the Indian entertainment and digital content ecosystem, has moved on from his operational role at Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI). According to sources, Khan will continue with the Sony Group until March 2026 to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities across the network’s digital and production verticals.
Khan, who currently heads SPNI’s digital business SonyLIV, the network’s independent production arm StudioNEXT, and the Network Channels Licensing division, has been one of the key architects behind SPNI’s content resurgence over the last decade. An accomplished media professional with over two decades of experience in marketing, programming, and digital entertainment, he is widely credited with shaping some of India’s biggest TV and OTT properties.
During his tenure, Khan spearheaded the successful launch of the revamped SonyLIV platform in May 2020, an inflection point that repositioned the service as a major OTT contender. Under his leadership, the platform assembled a robust content catalogue featuring acclaimed originals such as Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, Undekhi, Your Honor, Avrodh, and several others. This slate propelled SonyLIV to multi-million subscriber growth within a short span and reinforced its reputation for premium, story-driven programming.
Khan has also played a pivotal role in the linear television ecosystem. As programming head of Star Plus earlier in his career, he was instrumental in building genre-defining shows such as Mahabharat and Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, both of which went on to become major ratings successes. Prior to his leadership roles at Star India, he served as Marketing Head of SET, his first stint at SPNI.
Sony's official spokesperson denied this development, however, our sources have confirmed this development.
At StudioNEXT, Khan drove the development and expansion of marquee IPs that continue to anchor the network’s entertainment portfolio. He is widely recognized for resurrecting flagship formats including Kaun Banega Crorepati, Indian Idol, and The Kapil Sharma Show, all of which enjoyed renewed success under his watch. He also led the creation of high-impact, talent-led reality formats such as Super Dancer and Superstar Singer, both of which earned strong audience and advertiser traction.
Over the years, Khan has also overseen innovative revenue initiatives, content licensing strategies, and the strengthening of SPNI’s IP pipeline. His combined experience in marketing, programming, and digital transformation has positioned him as a key figure in the network’s evolution.
A sociology graduate with a postgraduate degree in management, Khan is known to be an avid reader and a music and football enthusiast. Outside work, he enjoys cinema, travelling, and exploring food cultures.
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