NEW DELHI: Well, we had alluded to this development happening in March, and so it has come to be. Not content with dominating the Indian cable and satellite TV market --- media analysts project that Star Group's growth in Asia would be largely fuelled by the Indian operation's stridency -- Star has now set its eyes on tapping the wireless business in a big way in India and China in conjunction with its TV business.

In India, the newly created wireless business development division is being headed by Sumantra 'Sumo' Dutta. He also looks after the FM radio venture Radio City carried out in association with a PK Mittal company.

What's more, to give shape to these plans and future growth areas, Star India has gone in for a management rejig. This is to ensure that operations and strategic business and corporate planning do not work in isolation of each other.

Pointing out that the re-organization of the management team was made effective earlier this week, Star India CEO Peter Mukherjea told Indiantelevision.com, "As our business grows, the challenges too increase. A brilliant strategy (or strategies) would mean keeping the company's growth rate ahead of that of the
industry. The re-organisation is aimed in that direction."
 
Under the new dispensation, all business and strategic planning, including corporate communication and client servicing, would be brought under a team headed by
Nitin Atroley, who would be based in Delhi.

Atroley joined Star India from Ernst & Young earlier this year as head of corporate affairs. However now with newer responsibilities he may be redesignated. This is an issue that is still being worked upon.

The operations team, which would include divisions like distribution, programming, marketing and ad sales, will be headed by company veteran and Star India COO Sameer Nair.

For more on these developments in Star India, dubbed by a business magazine as the country's biggest media company, stay tuned.