Manager - Programming Strategy & Research, Star Maa

Job Summary:

We serve high quality content to millions of customers across millions of devices, all of which are constantly evolving and changing. This role is within our Marketing team and serves as the link between Marketing and Creative teams to ensure cohesive campaign execution. Defines show positioning, sets marketing objectives, and translates strategy into clear creative briefs. Oversee creative alignment with target audience and tone, manages timelines, and ensures consistency across all media platforms.

About the team:

The programming strategy team is responsible for analyzing audience insights, tracking ratings, and shaping the content strategy for the channel. The team evaluates weekly BARC data, competitive trends, and cross-platform consumption patterns to identify growth opportunities and potential risks. They collaborate closely with programming, research, marketing, and social listening teams to provide data-backed recommendations that inform scheduling, slotting, and content decisions. With a deep understanding of audience behavior and evolving media trends, the team ensures that programming choices are aligned with viewer preferences and market dynamics. Their work strengthens the channel's positioning, drives consistent viewership growth, and enables strategic decision-making in a highly competitive entertainment landscape.

Reporting To: Associate Director - Programming Strategy & Marketing, Star Maa.

• Lead qualitative and quantitative research initiatives for Star Maa, managing end-to-end execution with external vendors and preparing presentations for management
• Synthesize insights across multiple research studies to create impactful presentations for internal stakeholders and clients
• Use AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT or similar) to generate nuanced, timely reports and insights
• Expand and manage the research agency ecosystem, identifying new partners and methodologies to strengthen insights
• Conduct weekly show performance analysis for Star Maa and Zee Telugu to predict weekly ratings and track competitive landscape
• Collaborate with the content team to develop detailed story universe decks for new fiction and non-fiction shows.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret both qualitative and quantitative data into actionable insights
• Proficiency in AI-driven tools and comfort leveraging technology to enhance research outputs
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with strong attention to detail and timelines
• Strong presentation and storytelling skills to translate research findings into clear, compelling narratives
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively with internal teams and external vendors
• Curiosity for audience behavior, content trends, and entertainment industry dynamics
• Comfort with ambiguity and agility to adapt insights to evolving business needs.

• Postgraduate degree in Media, Business, Psychology, Sociology, or related field (or equivalent research-focused experience)
• 3–5 years of experience in qualitative and quantitative research, consumer insights, or programming strategy
• Hands-on experience managing external research vendors and synthesizing research outputs into presentations
• Prior exposure to television, entertainment, or media industries is an advantage, but candidates from other industries with strong research experience are welcome
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with AI or BI tools for analysis and reporting.

About Us:

Perched firmly at the nucleus of spellbinding content and innovative technology, JioStar is a leading global media & entertainment company that is reimagining the way audiences consume entertainment and sports. Its television network and streaming service together reach more than 750 million viewers every week, igniting the dreams and aspirations of hundreds of millions of people across geographies.