Tarun Katial to join ADAE's FM radio venture

Tarun Katial, executive vice-president (programming) and business head, Sony Entertainment Television (SET), is joining the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Enterprise (ADAE). Katial, who was responsible for SET's format shows like Indian Idol and Fame Gurukul, will spearhead the Ambani group's radio initiative.

Kunal Dasgupta, CEO, SET confirmed that Katial had indeed put in his papers. "Katial has decided to move on. His stint at Sony has been of immense value to us," said Dasgupta, adding, that he would continue to with SET until it finds a suitable replacement.

Katial would continue to be a consultant for SET on its programming initiatives. Prior to his stint at SET, Katial was with Star TV.

However, its not known when Katial would take up his new assignment at the Ambani group, which recently bagged six licenses for FM radio in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore.

Katial becomes the fourth mediaman to join the ADAE camp, which has been on a high-profile lookout for media professionals.

Recently, the group roped in Divya Gupta, former president of The Media Edge (TME) -- a Rediffusion arm -- as media advisor.

Prior to her appointment, the ADAE appointed Sandip Tarkas, former CEO, RK Swamy's Media Direction, as the media head of ADAE. Rajesh Sawhney, as president of Reliance Entertainment.