Sony CEO resigns due to BCCI-Sony controversy

New Delhi, Feb 19 (ANI): Fed up of the BCCI-Sony controversy (now Multi Screen Media), Sony Entertainment CEO Kunal Dasgupta has resigned from his duties with immediate effect from February 19.

Confirming his resignation to Economic Times Dasgupta said that he does not know what he will do next after leaving the company.

Till a replacement for Dasgupta is found, Chairman of the Multi Screen Media (MSM) board Manjit Singh, has been named interim CEO.

Dasgupta's resignation came at a time when the controversy between Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and MSM was at its peak.

BCCI has asked MSM to compensate the 137-crore rupees loss that the board has suffered due to its on-ground deal with Reliance ADAG-owned Big TV being called off.

The board also urged Sony to convert Bharti Airtel's exclusive on-air Rs 30-crore deal as a presenting sponsor for DTH broadcasts, to a consolidated ground and on-air deal.

Apparently, the Sony officials were in confusion whether to ensure that Airtel comes on board as IPL's on-ground sponsor or pay IPL Rs 137 crore for the damage that IPL has suffered.

Big TV, which had picked up ground rights sponsorship, in objection to the Sony-Bharti deal terminated its own agreement.

The board has blamed Sony for the turn of incidents and has now warned Sony of terminating the broadcaster's IPL rights if the money is not paid up. (ANI)