Three sources said that Sajith Sivanandan, the Chief of Disney's Hotstar in India, has left as the company integrates the business after its $8.5 billion merger with Reliance's media assets. At a time when the merged entity continues to streamline its operations - including the decision to stream all live sports on Disney's Hotstar and not on Reliance's JioCinema app - Sajith Sivanandan, the managing director and chief executive at the Indian language-facing Hotstar, has resigned after more than five years running the business.

The integration process is in place, though the leadership still has to decide whether JioCinema will survive as a standalone application. After the deal, Disney and Reliance will manage more than 100 channels on TV and two streaming services, which will make the three powerhouse organizations along with Sony, Netflix, and Amazon Prime unstoppable in Indian markets for entertainment.

A Google veteran for 15 years and over two years at Hotstar, Sivanandan helped build the firm. Kiran Mani, another erstwhile Google exec, runs JioCinema, which has acquired rights for key streaming events like the IPL, Winter Olympics, and Indian Super League football. Rights for International Cricket Council tournaments and English Premier League soccer in India have been retained by Hotstar.