LOS ANGELES — Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc. has appointed Bedi A. Singh executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Singh will report to Gemstar-TV Guide chief executive officer Rich Battista. Singh most recently served as chief finance and administration officer for Novartis Pharma A.G. and previously served as chief financial officer of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

"We are fortunate to have found an individual with Bedi's talents and background to assume the responsibilities of CFO at this time," said Battista. "He is an experienced financial professional having served as a divisional CFO for Novartis and for Sony Pictures Entertainment, both large multi-national public companies."

"Along with significant financial experience, he brings a proven track record in the media and entertainment industry, which will aid him as he assumes a key role in the senior management of our company," Battista added. "I am confident that Bedi will provide our financial team with strong leadership as we progress on our exciting strategic plan."

"I am delighted to be joining Gemstar-TV Guide at such an important time in the company's history. I have always been impressed with the strength of the TV Guide brand and I am very enthusiastic about the strategic direction that Rich has laid out for the company," said Singh. "I believe there is significant growth potential as Gemstar-TV Guide continues on the path to be the leading guidance provider across multiple media platforms."

Singh has a strong background in public accounting, financial reporting, and in strategic business development. In addition to overseeing all of the financial operations at Gemstar-TV Guide and the company's investor relations activities, he will also share oversight of the company's information technology group with Mike McKee, Gemstar-TV Guide's chief operating officer.

Prior to joining Gemstar-TV Guide, since 2004, Singh has served as chief finance and administration officer for Novartis Pharma, a health-care research and product development company, based in Switzerland. In this role, he oversaw finance, strategic planning, purchasing and IT, and served as part of the company's executive committee, reporting to the CEO. He supervised over 2,000 people worldwide, through 18 internationally located direct reports.

From 1999 to 2003, Singh was executive vice president and CFO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, a division of Sony Corp. of America. In this role, he had responsibility for Finance, IT, and corporate strategy and worked closely with all division presidents. He supervised over 800 people and was involved in financial presentations to Wall Street analysts and the press. He was a member of the board of directors of SET India, the company's cable/satellite TV channel.

He was also a member of the board of directors of Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan; and he was the company's board representative for Loews Cineplex Inc.

Prior to joining Sony, Singh worked for News Corp. from 1991 to 1999, serving in senior financial roles, including deputy chief financial officer for Fox Filmed Entertainment, and group financial controller for News International.

From 1987 to 1991, Singh was a senior country manager for Accenture Ltd., (at the time Andersen Consulting), where he spearheaded a project funded by the World Bank, developing a strategic plan for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. He began his career in London as an audit manager at the accounting firm Deloitte and Touche (at the time Arthur Andersen, UK).