MUMBAI: The Kalanithi Maran-promoted Sun TV Network has appointed R. Mahesh Kumar, who has been Sun Direct CEO since 2011, as its president. The company made this announcement in a communication to the Bombay stock exchange a short while ago. 

The appointment is being done to strengthen the management of the company, which runs India’s most watched channel, Sun TV and becomes effective from 1 November, 2015.

Unconfirmed reports were that Sun Direct senior vice president - corporate affairs Swaminathan is slated to be elevated to head the DTH operation. 

The 46 year old, R. Mahesh Kumar, is a Chartered Accountant with over 23 years experience out of which more than 15 years has been with the media industry. He started his career with Citibank and had also served KPMG and American Express in earlier years.

His last position was was with the Rajan Raheja Group where he was the president and CEO of Asianet Satellite Communications Ltd before joining the Sun Group. He also held the position of managing director of Sun Direct.