JioCinema likely to appoint former Google executive Kiran Mani as CEO

Former Google general manager Kiran Mani may join JioCinema as its chief executive officer. Mani, who formerly ran Google’s Android operations in the Asia Pacific region, will reportedly oversee JioCinema's technological development and enable agreements with Hollywood studios. The move is intended to help the streaming service's mobile customers and its Hollywood partnerships. 

As per his LinkedIn profile, Mani started as an early investor and consultant to James Murdoch and Uday Shankar's Bodhi Tree investment firm. The parent company of JioCinema, Viacom18, is a partnership of Bodhi Tree, Paramount Global, and Reliance Industries Ltd, controlled by Mukesh Ambani. 

The development comes days after it was reported that Disney was in preliminary talks with potential buyers of its India streaming business, including Reliance Industries Ltd. 

JioCinema, launched in 2016, has become a crucial platform and has been shaping the future of entertainment consumption in India. During the 46th AGM of shareholders held last month, Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries Ltd, highlighted the pivotal role played by JioCinema. 

The official Digital Streaming Partner of TATA IPL 2023, JioCinema claimed to have broken its last season's record of overall video viewership and average viewership in a match in the very first week of this season.