MUMBAI: Sony has tapped Vijay Koshy to head its English channels AXN and Animax in India.

He has replaced Rohit Bhandari who earlier this year was promoted to the position of AXN director South Asia. Bhandari assumes this role on Monday in Singapore. Prior to joining AXN Koshy was in charge of ad sales at ESPN Star Sports.

Koshy reports to Sony executive VP (ad sales and revenue management) Rohit Gupta. Speaking on the appointment Gupta says, "Koshy has experience in handling niche brands like Channel (V). His experience with the sports genre will also come in useful. He is the right person to lead the business of AXN and Animax going forward.

"Rohit Bhandari has been with us for a long time. His initiatives went a long way towards helping AXN becoming the number three channel in the English genre."