JioStar expands Prashant Khanna role to oversee Cricinfo
JioStar has elevated Prashant Khanna to oversee sports rights, innovation and the Cricinfo business in an expanded leadership role, widening his remit across partnerships and digital businesses. Khanna announced the move on LinkedIn after nearly nine years with Star, Disney Star and JioStar, saying the job will help shape the next phase of growth for JioStar Sports.
Key Takeaways
- Prashant Khanna now leads Rights & Innovation for Sports and the Cricinfo business at JioStar.
- The move follows nearly nine years across Star, Disney Star and JioStar, building on his production and tech background.
- Khanna will focus on sports rights, partnerships, innovation and digital businesses across JioStar Sports.
- JioHotstar also named Abhimanyu Khanna Head – Rights Acquisition (BCCI) to manage cricket media rights.
- Khanna also serves the ICC and sits on the IPL World Feed Production Committee under the BCCI.
What is Prashant Khanna's new role at JioStar?
JioStar has given sports media executive Prashant Khanna an expanded leadership position overseeing Rights & Innovation for Sports alongside the Cricinfo business, according to Mediabrief. In a LinkedIn post, Khanna said he was taking on a broader mandate spanning sports rights, partnerships, innovation and digital businesses.
"After nearly nine years across Star, Disney Star and now JioStar, I'm excited to be taking on a new role across Rights & Innovation for Sports, along with the Cricinfo Business," he wrote. He added that the position would let him support the next phase of growth for JioStar Sports from a wider business perspective.
Why does putting Cricinfo under Khanna matter now?
Mediabrief reports that Khanna's expanded mandate combines sports rights and innovation leadership with direct oversight of the Cricinfo business. He said the role would allow him to build on his production, technology and innovation experience from a wider business perspective.
Khanna highlighted the evolving nature of the sports industry, saying closer collaboration between broadcasters, rights holders and technology partners is creating new opportunities across the ecosystem. He said he looks forward to working with teams, partners, leagues and governing bodies to strengthen partnerships, unlock new opportunities and create long-term value.
What experience does Khanna bring to the job?
Before this elevation, Khanna spent nearly nine years across Star, Disney Star and JioStar, contributing to capabilities behind major sporting events and broadcasts. He noted that he has worked across production, technology and innovation functions throughout his career.
Alongside his JioStar responsibilities, he serves as Production Contract Manager for the International Cricket Council for the 2024–27 cycle. He is also a member of the IPL World Feed Production Committee under the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Prior to joining the Star network in 2017, he spent more than seven years at The Walt Disney Company in technology, operations, field operations and research and development roles. Earlier career stops included News Corporation, NDTV, Turner Broadcasting, Reliance MediaWorks, Hinduja Group, Encompass Digital Media and QSport Media.
How is JioStar strengthening its cricket rights bench?
The Prashant Khanna announcement comes as JioStar adds specialized leadership around cricket rights. In a related move reported by PitchOnnet, JioHotstar appointed Abhimanyu Khanna as Head – Rights Acquisition (BCCI), where he will collaborate with the board to assess, acquire and manage cricket media rights.
Abhimanyu Khanna previously served as Senior Director – Premium Sports at JioHotstar. His background spans more than 14 years in sales and strategic partnerships, including leadership roles at Truecaller and BlackBerry in India and global markets.
Together, the appointments show JioStar lining up rights and innovation leaders as it scales its sports portfolio. For more executive moves across entertainment and sports, see our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.