The search for a business head for Sony Entertainment Television appears to be over, if the buzz in the industry is to be believed.
Sunil Lulla, former CEO of the now defunct portal indya.com is slated to take over as general manager, SET, by end June. Sources say Lulla was among three candidates shortlisted for the post, which is currently vacant. Industry sources say a senior executive from Star India was also in the reckoning, but turned down the offer. The last position he held was CEO, Valuebridge, a consultancy business set up by venture capital firm AtIndia and advertising major HTA.

Sunil Lulla

Lulla has held several positions giving him wide exposure to the media and entertainment business. Among them: HMV (now Saregama) general manager - marketing, MTV India head (before current MTV boss Alex Kuruvilla), J Walter Thompson (in Taipei as Director of Client Services) and United Distilleries and Vintners (UDV)(as vice president).

With Lulla hopping on board, the Sony Entertainment management will have all divisions within Sony well cared for - AXN under Shantonu Aditya‘s charge, SET MAX under Rajat Jain and SET with Sunil Lulla.

Hallmark has acquired 18 major motion pictures for its Latin American markets from Walt Disney Television International - Latin America (WDTVI-LA).
The package boasts prominent titles including the Academy Award-winning Roberto Begnini film Life is Beautiful, which won in the Best Actor, Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Dramatic Score categories; The Horse Whisperer, directed by Robert Redford and starring Kristin Scott Thomas, Redford and Sam Neill; the critically acclaimed and Oscar-nominated Brazilian film Central Station; and Enemy of the State, with Will Smith, Gene Hackman and Jon Voight.

Also included in the agreement are the comedy Romy and Michele‘s High School Reunion, featuring Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow; and the drama Mrs Brown, starring Dame Judi Dench.

The Hallmark Channel is currently available in 11 million homes throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, claims the company.