Uday Shankar (businessman)

Uday Shankar was born on 16 September 1962 in Bihar. His father was a civil engineer by profession and wanted to see his son as a civil servant. However, he chose to study the liberal arts, much to disappointment of his father. He studied the sciences for his board examination. Shankar got his early education in Bihar. He moved to Delhi to pursue post-graduate studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University and then did his M. Phil. in economic history at Jawaharlal Nehru University. His M.Phil. thesis dealt with the transformation of Bihar into a colonial economy by the Birish in theate 18th - early 19th century. [2] He tried for the Civil Services Examination conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and passed the preliminary and main rounds; he then enrolled at Times School of Journalism in Delhi and earned a diploma in journalism.

Uday Shankar started his career as a political correspondent with The Times of India at Patna. After a brief stint with Times of India He came back to Delhi and worked for environmental magazine Down to Earth.

Shankar began his career in the TV-News industry at Zee TV as a news producer and rose rapidly. From Zee TV, he moved to Home TV, Sahara Samay, Aaj Tak and finally Star News as its chief executive officer (CEO).

Later, he was appointed as chairman and CEO of Star India to oversee its entire broadcasting operations.

On 5 December 2017, Shankar was appointed as president of 21st Century Fox for Asia. The new role would oversee Fox's television and online video platform business across the region, and the President of Fox Networks Group Asia would report to Shankar.[3]

On 13 December 2018, The Walt Disney Company announced that Shankar would lead Disney's Asia Pacific region and be chairman of Disney India after the acquisition of 21st Century Fox closes.[4] On 1 April 2019, Shankar, as president Disney Asia Pacific, announced the restructuring of the complete entity of Star India and Disney.[5]

On 8 October 2020, he has stepped down from his current role of President - APAC, The Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International and Chairman Star & Disney India, he will be transitioning out by 31 December 2020.[6]

He also serves as the Vice President of FICCI. Earlier, he served with the same as the President of the M&E (Media & Entertainment) sector.[7]

• Mumbai Press Club's RedInk award, 2013[8]
• West Bengal Tele Academy Award, 2014 [9]
• Best CEO at Forbes India Leadership Award, 2015[10]

• Profile at Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International Media Center