Alex Kuruvilla quits MTV

Vishnu Sharma - Televisionpoint.com
After A six-year innings with MTV Networks, its Asia executive vice-president and MTV India managing director Alex Kuruvilla resigned today. The announcement of his resignation has been made internally and details on who would take charge are unknown.

Alex Kuruvilla had put in his papers a few weeks back, but the formal announcement was made today by Frank Brown, President, MTV Networks Asia Pacific, during the company's 'Town Hall' meeting. Kuruvilla will be in the office till the end of this month.

MTV Networks Asia Pacific president Frank Brown said, "Alex has been with this company through challenging and triumphant times and has had a major role in making MTV Networks India the powerhouse of talent and ideas that it is today. However, Alex will continue to work with us on some projects for sometime to come."

Mr. Kuruvilla confirmed to Televisionpoint.com about his resignation and dismissed the industry rumours that he was joining the Star TV. He says it is very hard to leave MTV. Kuruvilla in a media statement said, "I’ve had the opportunity to be part of the network during my time here - from launching exciting new channels, to bringing reality television to India and changing the idea of what a music channel is expected to be."

Recently, Viacom, the holding company of MTV, had placed India as one of its top five priority markets in the world. But sources said with competition intensifying, MTV had begun to find the going difficult.

Kuruvilla was looking after MTV, Nick and brought international music and lifestyle channel VH1 to India. Prior to joining MTV, Kuruvilla was an advertising professional. His passion for music and entertainment led him to join MTV India in 1999, he spent over 10 years at JWT, and six years at Rediffusion.