News Broadcasting

What built Arnab Goswami’s Republic empire?

Published

5 years ago

September 11, 2020

NEW DELHI: It was on a bright sunny morning in May 2017 that the TV screens across the country were blazed with the signature tune of a new news channel on the block, marking the comeback of fiery, thunderous, and outspoken journalists Arnab Goswami after less than six months of his controversial departure from Times Now, a place where he gained prominence as the topmost news presenter during the prime time slot, his catchphrase “The Nation Wants To Know” becoming an inseparable, almost indomitable part of the pop culture. The audience, as expected, instantly hooked on to the channel; Arnab’s style of reporting and managing the business gaining as much as praises as criticism. But certainly, none could ignore the blaring debates, the raging reportage, and Goswami’s own pursuit of truth, which he has many a time himself admitted to being biased but true to his convictions.

Today, the news channel, along with its Hindi-language counterpart, Republic Bharat, which was launched a little less than two years later in 2019, enjoys the maximum market share under the aegis of the Republic Media Network. As per statistics shared by the network last month, Republic TV claims 52 per cent, and Republic Bharat takes 14.38 per cent of the overall market share in their respective categories, becoming number one news channels in English and Hindi language, respectively. The network currently hires more than 1100 people and boasts of an infrastructure that could be the source of envy for many competitors. Republic TV’s digital websites are enjoying amazing traffic, with 500 million uniques visiting it each and every day.

But what all does it take for a senior journalist to leave his job and turn an entrepreneur in the highly competitive media landscape and take it to number one position in almost no time?

Goswami told Indiantelevision.com founder, CEO, and editor-in-chief Anil Wanvari in an exclusive virtual fireside chat, “When I had left Times Now many people said that he is ‘but a journalist.’ What does it mean when someone says that? And if I am ‘but a journalist’, why do I have to work for anyone else?”

He added, “It was within my first years into journalism when I was working for Bennett and Coleman that I realised it is very important for a journalist to be free. He must not be seeking a regular dose of money from external sources. Because one must remember that if someone else is holding your instruments, they can use it at any point in time. And until what I have done can only be done by an entrepreneur who believes in building an organization and not making money.”

Read our coverage on Arnab Goswami

Therefore, when Goswami laid the foundation of his own media company, he was sure from day one that he needs to have the complete ownership of his business. He started by holding around 82 per cent of the shares in the company, and rest were with a few investors, including Rajeev Chandrashekhar of Asianet. Over the course of the next few years, Goswami bought out most of the shares back, and he admits that only a mere 3-4 per cent are with other investors.

“When I had started, many people could not accept the fact that a professional could be the sole owner of his business since the beginning. But why would I start a company if I could not say that I am the sole owner, since day one? I, indeed, was the sole owner but I did not have time to address people questioning me,” he elaborated.

As per him, his earlier challenge was to manage finances because as much as he wanted the full ownership of his properties, he also wanted to remain debt-free. “I was not in great shape financially. I was starting the channel with, probably, one-fourth of the funds that others might have had when launching their channels. And I wanted to break-even in the first year itself,” he said.

Many people suggested to him that he should consider going ahead with a subscription-based model but he had a journalistic argument against it, “I said, I have left my last job and I am out in the ocean now. I want to know whether people will accept me or not. And they did accept me, which was remarkable. They accepted us even before the channel was launched; when there was literally no product or distribution.”

Not just the viewers, but advertisers too showed immense faith in Republic TV, “Good advertisers, about 10 or 12 of them, came in and and and placed advertising bets on me 1.5 months before the launch of Republic English. Where in the world does that happen? I went to some of these advertisers and I said, you know me; I have been in the business for a long time. If you trust me and believe in me, then advertise. Some of the biggest agencies in the country placed their bets on me, and I am forever grateful for that,” Goswami proudly boasted.

And the faith in his capabilities and channels still continue, as they continue sitting on top positions in rating charts. Even during the Covid2019 lockdown, Goswami noted, the advertisers maintained their belief in him.

Read our coverage on Republic Media

“Yes, we lost some advertisers and they are coming back on the road. I don’t even have to make much of an effort. It's natural they are coming here because we are offering them a better market share. Also, we are the only ones in the market who are offering both Hindi and English channels as a package, and that also helps.”

But what retains the advertiser interest on Goswami’s properties the most, is the type of campaign-based and activist journalism they are doing, which remains undefeated when it comes to holding viewer interest. “Many of them (advertisers) tell me that we advertise on your channels because we watch them. How many categories are there for which it is possible?”

Even though his business model and property, both are performing exceptionally well, Goswami believes that he doesn’t have any great business sense. “I am an editorial person, and that’s what I do the best. There is no great business sense in what I am doing. My principle is simple, that you first make your ends meet, and beyond that, if you make any profit, use that into the business, simple. Put that money on the beauty and grandness of your content. Let your product be as sharp as possible. First invest in good people, good equipment and then think beyond.”

And he is doing exactly that. While he first used the profits from Republic TV to invest in and launch Republic Bharat, now his focus is on strengthening his teams and studio capabilities.

“I have built great things to scale my product up. I have invested in high-quality cameras and 20,000 sq feet of studio space. Which news channel does that? The ceiling of my studio is Noida is about 80 feet high, so when we take the top shot during shoots, it looks grand. This is the scale that I am building for my properties. I don’t do anything for vanity, but to make sure that I am providing the best resources to my team and the best content to my audience,” he shared.

Going ahead, Goswami has grand expansion plans for his business. He wants Republic to reach every nook and corner of the country. Soon, his website will be operating in six languages and soon he will invest in expanding his broadcast capabilities too.

For him, the only way is ahead and he is not bothered about the controversies surrounding him or his business. He is unequivocally focussed on doing what he does the best; being his unabashed self on screens, bringing out stories that he has conviction in, and asking as many questions as the nation wants to know the answers to.

Related Topics:Arnab Goswami Republic empire

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News Broadcasting

Barc forensic audit in TRP row awaits as Twenty-Four probe gathers pace

Published

2 weeks ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

KERALA: A forensic audit commissioned by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India has emerged as the centrepiece of the government’s response to fresh allegations of television rating point manipulation involving a regional news channel in Kerala, with both the audit findings and a parallel police investigation still awaited.

Replying to a query in the Lok Sabha, minister of state for information and broadcasting L Murugan, said Barc had appointed an independent agency to conduct a forensic probe into the conduct of senior personnel allegedly linked to the case.

The move followed media reports claiming that a Barc employee had accepted bribes to manipulate viewership data in favour of a regional television news channel.

“The report from BARC is still awaited,” Murugan told Parliament, signalling that the forensic exercise remains ongoing.

Industry specialists say forensic audits are crucial in alleged TRP fraud cases, as they examine internal controls, data access trails, panel household integrity, staff communications and financial transactions. The outcome could determine whether the alleged manipulation was an isolated breach or a deeper systemic weakness in India’s television measurement framework.

Running alongside the audit, the Kerala Police has formed a special investigation team to probe the allegations. The ministry has sought a preliminary report from the state’s director general of police, including details of action taken on the first information report. That report, too, is yet to be submitted.

The episode has revived long-standing concerns over the vulnerability of India’s TRP system, particularly in regional news markets where competition for ratings is fierce and advertising revenues hinge on weekly viewership rankings.

India’s sole television audience measurement body Barc, has faced scrutiny before, most notably during the nationwide TRP controversy involving news channels in 2020. While tighter compliance norms were introduced in the aftermath, the latest allegations suggest enforcement challenges may persist.

On regulatory consequences, the government said any punitive action against television channels, including suspension or cancellation of uplinking and downlinking permissions, would be governed by the Policy Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Television Channels issued in November 2022, and would depend on investigation outcomes and due process.

The ministry also pointed to ongoing efforts to overhaul the ratings ecosystem. Television measurement continues to be regulated under the Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies, 2014. Draft amendments were released for public consultation in July 2025, followed by a revised version in November 2025, aimed at tightening audit mechanisms and improving transparency and representativeness.

In November 2025, Barc said it had taken note of allegations aired by Malayalam news channel Twenty-Four, which linked an internal employee to irregularities in audience measurement. The council said it had engaged a “reputed independent agency” to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit, underscoring the seriousness of the claims.

The ratings system sits at the heart of India’s broadcast advertising economy, shaping billions of rupees in annual ad spends. With trust in audience data once again under strain, advertisers, broadcasters and regulators are closely watching the outcome of the investigations.

Barc has urged industry stakeholders and media organisations to exercise restraint while the probe is underway, calling for an end to “unverified or speculatory claims” and reiterating its commitment to integrity and accountability.

Until the forensic audit and police findings are submitted and reviewed, the government said it would refrain from drawing conclusions.

News Broadcasting

Rajat Sharma defamation row: Delhi court summons Congress leaders Ragini Nayak, Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh

Published

2 weeks ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has ordered the summoning of senior Congress leaders Ragini Nayak, Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh in a criminal case filed by veteran journalist Rajat Sharma, sharpening a legal battle over alleged defamation and doctored digital content.

The order was passed on Monday by Devanshi Janmeja, judicial magistrate first class at Saket Courts, after the court found prima facie grounds to proceed under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including forgery, creation of false electronic records and defamation.

Sharma, chairman and editor-in-chief of India TV, had approached the court over allegations made in June 2024 that he had used derogatory language against Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak during a live television debate. He denied the charge, claiming it was fuelled by a manipulated video circulated online.

According to the complaint, a clipped version of the broadcast carrying superimposed captions, which were not part of the original programme, was first shared on social media platform X by Nayak and later amplified through retweets and public statements by Khera and Ramesh. Sharma said the viral spread caused serious reputational harm and personal distress.

The court took note of forensic science laboratory findings that pointed to visible post-production alterations in the video, including added titles and captions. It also cited witness testimonies from those present during the live broadcast, who stated that no abusive or objectionable language had been used.

In a related civil matter, the Delhi High Court had earlier observed a prima facie absence of abusive remarks and directed the removal of the disputed social media posts.

With criminal proceedings now set in motion, the case adds to mounting scrutiny around political messaging, digital manipulation and accountability on social media platforms.

News Broadcasting

Mukesh Ambani, Larry Fink come together for CNBC-TV18 exclusive

Reliance and BlackRock chiefs map the future of investing as global capital eyes India

Published

2 weeks ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: India’s capital story takes centre stage today as Mukesh Ambani and Larry Fink sit down for a rare joint television conversation, bringing together two of the most powerful voices in global business at a moment of economic churn and opportunity.

The Reliance Industries chief and the BlackRock boss will speak with Shereen Bhan, managing editor of CNBC-TV18, in an exclusive interaction airing from 3:00 pm on February 4. The timing is deliberate. Geopolitics are tense, technology is disruptive and capital is choosier. India, meanwhile, is pitching itself as a long-term bet.

The pairing is symbolic. Reliance straddles energy transition, digital infrastructure and consumer growth in the world’s fastest-expanding major economy. BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, oversees more than $14 tn in assets and sits at the nerve centre of global capital flows. When the two talk, markets tend to listen.

Fink’s appearance marks his third India visit, a signal of the country’s rising strategic weight for the Wall Street-listed firm, which carries a market value above $177 bn. His earlier 2023 trips included an October stop in New Delhi, where he met both Ambani and Narendra Modi.

India is now central to BlackRock’s expansion plans, notably through its joint venture with Jio Financial Services. Announced in July 2023, the 50:50 venture, JioBlackRock, commits up to $150 mn each from the partners to build a digital-first asset-management platform aimed at India’s swelling investor class.

The backdrop is robust. BlackRock ended 2025 with record assets under management of $14.04 tn, helped by $698 bn in net inflows, including $342 bn in the fourth quarter alone. Scale gives Fink both heft and a long lens on where money is moving.

He has been openly bullish on India. At the Saudi-US Investment Summit in Riyadh last year, Fink argued that the “fog of global uncertainty is lifting”, with capital returning to dynamic markets such as India, drawn by reforms, demographics and durable return potential.

Expect the conversation to range beyond balance sheets, into technology’s role in finance, access to capital and the mechanics of sustainable growth in a fracturing world order. For investors and policymakers alike, it is a snapshot of how big money is thinking about India.

At a time when capital is cautious and growth is contested, India wants to be the exception. When Ambani and Fink share a stage, it is less a chat and more a signal. The world’s money is still looking for its next big story, and India intends to be it.