MUMBAI: NDS Group Ltd. has appointed Dave Habiger as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) while Chairman and former CEO of the company Dr. Abe Peled will assume the full time position of executive chairman.

As executive chairman, a full-time position, Peled will focus on providing strategic, operational, and customer relationship continuity.

Commenting on Habiger‘s appointment Dr. Peled said, "After 16 rewarding years at the helm of NDS, the time has come to start the transition to the leadership that will take NDS forward over the next decade and beyond. NDS has a strong and experienced management team, and an unparalleled cadre of talented and dedicated employees with a proven track record in pay-TV; it has been a privilege to work with them to establish NDS as the market leader in this area. "
 
The 42-year old Habiger began his career in media as a founder of Providence Productions. In 1992, he began working with the founding members of Sonic Solutions and later played an important role in the company‘s IPO in 1994. 
 
As President and COO of Sonic, Habiger organised and managed a global software development team, later becoming CEO in 2005.

As CEO of Sonic, he leveraged his 15-year partnership with the Hollywood studios to help move the industry from DVD distribution to internet delivery of movies and TV shows, establishing a leadership role as one of the largest global providers of premium movies and TV shows via the Web and consumer electronic devices.

Said Habiger on his appointment, "The industry will be going through significant changes over the next few years as it embraces over-the-top broadband delivery to expand customer choice and convenience."