Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) has appointed media industry veteran Aayush Khanna as Vice President of Programming, a move that comes as the company gears up for its coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India.

The appointment is being seen as a significant addition to Zee’s sports leadership team as the broadcaster prepares to deliver one of the biggest global sporting events to Indian audiences. The company recently secured the rights to broadcast the FIFA World Cup 2026 and several other FIFA events, making the strengthening of its programming division a key strategic priority.

Khanna shared news of his new role through a LinkedIn post, using a football analogy to describe the challenge ahead. “Stepping into a new innings. Joining a project of this scale at this juncture feels like being subbed on during extra time in a major final—intense, high-stakes, but exactly where you want to be. To my new team, the tactics board is ready. Time to block out the noise, trust the game plan, and make history. Let’s play!” he wrote.

Before joining Zee Entertainment, Khanna spent more than 13 years with Sony Pictures Networks India, where he held several senior programming and production positions. Most recently, he served as Associate Creative Director (AVP), playing a key role in content strategy and execution across major sports and entertainment properties.

Over the course of his tenure at Sony, Khanna progressed through multiple leadership roles, including Supervising Producer, Senior Producer, Senior Executive Producer and Executive Producer. His extensive experience in sports broadcasting, programming and content production is expected to strengthen Zee’s efforts as it expands its sports portfolio.

The appointment comes at a crucial time for Zee as it prepares for the FIFA World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held across the United States, Canada and Mexico. With global attention set to focus on the tournament, the broadcaster is building its leadership and programming capabilities to deliver comprehensive coverage and enhance viewer engagement across platforms.

Industry observers view Khanna’s arrival as a strategic move that underscores Zee’s ambitions in the sports broadcasting space, particularly as the company seeks to capitalize on the growing popularity of international football among Indian audiences.