ITV

Tag: editor in chief

  • Goa to get a new news channel – WorldLink News

    Goa to get a new news channel – WorldLink News

    MUMBAI: After Goa News, the party capital of India is set to get its second 24/7 satellite channel WorldLink News. The channel will come under the parent company WorldLink News International which also plans to launch a national channel.

    Senior journalist, Sachin Borker will head the news network as editor-in-chief and Suresh Kankonkar will be the executive editor of Goa channel. “We will launch the Goa regional channel in a month’s time and the national one will take us more three months at least. The channel will focus on hardcore reporting on each and every aspect,” informs Borker 

    It is not only the Indian audience that the channel is targeting, “Apart from the entire country we want to reach out to Gulf territories also, where there are many Goan people residing. For India we have already done the deal with the leading DTH players and now we are talking terms with cable operators also. We will have Konkani, Marathi and Hindi bulletins in our channel,” Borker adds.

    The network will be using the license of IPT and the channels will be beamed from Intelsat 20 satellite.

    If sources are to be believed then the Network is backed by an NRI who has pumped close to Rs 10 crore in the launch. Advertising will be the key revenue generator for the channel and the network will create a sales team for that. 

    “We have hired a few journalists and we will hire more in the coming days. We are looking at a team mix of young and old. We will have bureaus across the country,” Borker informs.        

  • Goa to get a new news channel – WorldLink News

    Goa to get a new news channel – WorldLink News

    MUMBAI: After Goa News, the party capital of India is set to get its second 24/7 satellite channel WorldLink News. The channel will come under the parent company WorldLink News International which also plans to launch a national channel.

    Senior journalist, Sachin Borker will head the news network as editor-in-chief and Suresh Kankonkar will be the executive editor of Goa channel. “We will launch the Goa regional channel in a month’s time and the national one will take us more three months at least. The channel will focus on hardcore reporting on each and every aspect,” informs Borker 

    It is not only the Indian audience that the channel is targeting, “Apart from the entire country we want to reach out to Gulf territories also, where there are many Goan people residing. For India we have already done the deal with the leading DTH players and now we are talking terms with cable operators also. We will have Konkani, Marathi and Hindi bulletins in our channel,” Borker adds.

    The network will be using the license of IPT and the channels will be beamed from Intelsat 20 satellite.

    If sources are to be believed then the Network is backed by an NRI who has pumped close to Rs 10 crore in the launch. Advertising will be the key revenue generator for the channel and the network will create a sales team for that. 

    “We have hired a few journalists and we will hire more in the coming days. We are looking at a team mix of young and old. We will have bureaus across the country,” Borker informs.        

  • Is India ready to embrace 4K Ultra HD?

    Is India ready to embrace 4K Ultra HD?

    CANNES: Ever since Star Sports broadcast a few important matches in 4K Ultra HD featuring the Indian team during the ICC Cricket World Cup earlier this year, a question hovering on many a lips is: Is India ready to embrace 4K Ultra HD?

     

    On Day 1 of Mipcom 2015, a panel comprising Videocon d2h deputy CEO Rohit Jain, Indiantelevision.com founder, CEO and editor-in-chief Anil Wanvari, BT Media & Broadcast VP Mark Wilson-Dunn and Travel XP CEO Prashant Chothani precisely attempted to answer this very question.

     

    Starting out, Jain gave an overview of how the direct to home industry has grown over the years and also how Videocon d2h has been a frontrunner in the recent past in terms of contributing heavily in helping India become a completely digitised country. “The last couple of years have seen some significant changes in how the television and broadcast ecosystem has evolved. India is among the fastest growing economics, and the biggest advantage is having an audience of 670 million under the age of 25 years,” he stated.

     

    “India also has the second largest market for Pay TV connections with 150 million homes. There are challenges of over-the-top (OTT) players coming in globally and India in a big way, but that must not be a hindrance for innovators like us to continue bringing about the best changes and continue being thought leaders in our space,” he added.

     

    Continuing the discussion and bringing a more global perspective to things, BT’s Wilson-Dunn said, “I honestly believe that India is a very strong content oriented market and has the right ingredients to grow as a 4K consuming audience. With the recently successful test of waters with the Cricket World Cup in India, it has certainly given a lot of confidence to us that India and Asia as a whole is ready for 4K consumption.”

     

    The panel agreed that sports would play a major role in establishing the future of 4K as well along with other live events and movies. “We are currently investing heavily in creating only 4K content and are confident that within the next two years, 4K will be huge in India,” said a confident Chothani. “I am currently also looking for the right partners for the distribution of the channel globally and I can already see the benefits of producing in 4K initially than going back and reinvesting in migrating from HD to 4K.”

     

    Indiantelevision.com’s Wanvari was more cautious in his approach on how India will embrace 4K. “I am sure 4K is the natural progression from HD, and with players like Prashant already investing heavily on creating the content pipeline, is an encouraging sign for the future of the content roadmap of the country. Although, the transponder space, which is currently available, is a cause of major concern and could be a downer for the spirits of many content distribution platforms like a Tata Sky and Videocon d2h,” he opined.

     

    The panel also discussed how 4K would ideally be for a niche audience, which would be in a position to generate higher average revenue per users (ARPUs) for distribution platforms that are currently generating anywhere between $3-4 on a monthly basis that could go up to $10-15 with 4K being introduced.

     

    At the end, the consensus amongst the panelists was that in the next five years, India will see a sizeable growth in the number of 4K content available on linear platforms, but these are still early days and one can only play the waiting game as the bigger challenge that still lies ahead is complete digitisation and accountability of users of content in the country.

  • India TV regains top slot with strong programming

    India TV regains top slot with strong programming

    MUMBAI: India TV’s Aap Ki Adalat episode featuring comedian turned actor Kapil Sharma has seen a 101 per cent rise in its ratings as compared to the show’s previous episode. This subsequently played a pivotal role in taking the channel back to the number one slot in week 38 in Hindi News channels segment. Kapil’s humour quotient paired with India TV chairman and editor-in-chief Rajat Sharma’s array of clever questions seems to have worked like magic. What’s more, alongside the flagship show, the channel’s weekday prime time show Aaj Ki Baat with Rajat Sharma as well as Chunav Manch – India TV’s Bihar Conclave, also garnered good ratings during the same week.

     

     

     

    As per data shared by BARC India on Indiantelevision.com’s request, the channel’s ratings jumped from 1967 in the last four weeks (week 34 to 37) to 3948 in week 38 from a sample of over 1 lakh viewers in the Hindi Speaking Market (HSM). This makes India TV the most viewed channel in the Hindi news segment in week 38.

     

     

     

    The good ratings, however, doesn’t faze the editor-in-chief. Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, he says, “We have always focussed on content. Ratings come automatically.” In fact, Sharma had an inkling that the episode with Kapil would be a hit with the audience. “The first indication that the show would be a hit was when I noticed the audience present in the studio enjoying Kapil’s answers,” he adds.

     

    According to Rajat Sharma, Kapil’s interesting anecdotes won the audience over during the show. “Kapil in Aap Ki Adalat was spontaneous. While answering my questions, he narrated some interesting anecdotes, which the audience liked. The presence of Bhojpuri star Manoj Tiwari in the studio and his ‘jugalbandi’ with Kapil helped in making the show a bigger hit,” he informs.

     

    It is interesting to note that the two Sharmas have previously made an appearance together on screen last year on Colors’ Comedy Nights with Kapil Sharma, where Rajat Sharma was invited as a guest.

      

    In the Hindi News channels space, Zee News has been at the number one spot as per BARC for the last two weeks. On the other hand, India TV has also been at top of the ladder many a times over the last few months

  • Arnab Goswami elevated as president news and editor-in-chief Times Now, ET Now

    Arnab Goswami elevated as president news and editor-in-chief Times Now, ET Now

    MUMBAI: Arnab Goswami has added responsibilities as he now takes over as Times Now and ET Now president-news and editor-in-chief.

     

    Bennett & Coleman managing director Vineet Jain in an official email said, “In order  to reinforce  our commitment to growth,  we would  like to prepare  the future  leadership of the Times Network  with the elevation of Arnab Goswami as president  – news  &  editor-in-chief  Times Now and ET Now.”  

     

    This apart, the network has also elevated Jagdish Mulchandani as he takes charge as president – finance and distribution with immediate effect. In his new role, Mulchandani will continue to lead and drive all strategy and operations for finance and distribution besides traffic and administration across Times Network.

     

    Praising Goswami and his work so far, Jain said, “Arnab has successfully achieved and maintained the leadership position for Times Now in English general news for the past several years. In addition to the Times Now editorial responsibility, he will now  lead the  ET Now  editorial team with immediate effect.”

     

    Jain also highlighted Mulchandani’s successful stint as Times Network CFO. “He has constructed a sharp and effective distribution infrastructure in the last year which has improved our penetration and business performance greatly,” added Jain.

     

    “Times Network has maintained its leadership position over the last several years in the various niches that it operates in. The latest elevations are in line with our commitment to maintain our high growth rate and reinforce our leadership position in all endeavours,” said Times Network CEO & MD MK Anand. 

     

  • Nikhil Wagle joins Mi Marathi as consultant

    Nikhil Wagle joins Mi Marathi as consultant

    MUMBAI: After a brief hiatus of a month, former IBN Lokmat editor in chief Nikhil Wagle has now assumed the role of a consultant with Mi Marathi. He will host a new show called Point Blank at 9pm from Monday to Friday.

     

    Wagle’s expertise in political news will be leveraged by the channel for the upcoming state elections in Maharashtra. He will also be anchoring an interview based show very soon. In his new capacity, Wagle is free to appear on other Hindi and English news channels but not on any competing Marathi channel.

     

    Recently, the Marathi news channel underwent a few changes. It got on board Ravindra Ambekar as chief editor, veteran journalist Kumar Ketkar as media consultant and Bharat Kumar Raut as consulting editor.

     

    Wagle has worked with Doordarshan as well as newspaper Aapla Mahanagar and has been with IBN Lokmat since its launch in 2008.

  • Nat Geo magazine appoints Susan Goldberg as first female editor in chief

    Nat Geo magazine appoints Susan Goldberg as first female editor in chief

     National Geographic Magazine appoints Ms. Susan Goldberg as the Editor-in-Chief. The first female to hold that position, Susan is also the 10th editor-in chief in the 126-year history of this iconic magazine. In India, National Geographic Magazine is published by Amar Chitra Katha under the license of National Geographic Society.

    “Susan has an incredible drive and vision, which makes her a wonderful choice to lead the magazine and daily news through their next iterations,” says Chris Johns, who will now serve the company in the newly created role of chief content officer.

     

    Susan joined NatGeo in January as an executive editor of news and features. Prior to this she was the editor for Bloomberg News in Washington, as well as the top editor of the Plain Dealer in Cleveland and the San Jose Mercury News.

     

    “I am privileged to take this new role, and excited about exploring new avenues,” said Ms Susan Goldberg. “It’s an honor to be part of such a great publication and to work with its talented and dedicated team”, she further added.

     

    Commenting on her appointment, National Geographic Magazines India editor in chief Niloufer Venkatraman said: “It will be wonderful to work with Susan. We will discuss and publish more stories that have special relevance to Indian readers”.

  • NewsX editor-in-chief Jehangir Pocha passes away

    NewsX editor-in-chief Jehangir Pocha passes away

    MUMBAI: The pressure-filled TV news business has had another casualty. Jehangir Pocha, the co-promoter of  IndiMedia Pvt Ltd, which earlier owned the NewsX channel, died earlier this morning in Gurgaon following a cardiac arrest. 

     

    Pocha came into the limelight after he worked out a rescue package  to bail out the channel in 2009 along with Nai Duniya CEO Vinay Chhajlani. Launched originally by the eighties poster boy of television – Peter Mukerjea – as part of the INX Media group, it had fallen up on troubled times soon after its launch in 2008. Pocha was editor in chief at BusinessWorld maagazine when he partnered with Chhajlani.

     

    NewsX continued, but desperately needed cash to run and Pocha and Chhajlani found a buyer in the Kartikeya Sharma owned Information TV (part of the ITV Group) and its associates in mid-2012. Even as Chhajlani exited, Pocha continued as the channel’s editor in chief.

     

    Born in Mumbai, Pocha did his Bachelors in Economics in 1990, followed by an MBA in Marketing in 1992 from the SP Jain Institute, Mumbai University. Later, he also did his Masters in Public Administration, Media and foreign policy from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.

     

    Pocha was The Boston Globe’s Beijing-based China correspondent from 2003-2007. Prior to that he spent about a decade in the IT industry, holding management positions with start-ups and Fortune 500 companies in the US and Singapore.

     

    His passing away has been mourned by many. Amomg them the prime minister Narendra Modi who said: “I am shocked and saddened to hear about Jehangir Pocha’s demise. I pay my condolence to his family in this hour of grief. May his soul rest in peace.”

     

    The  Broadcast Editors’ Association sent out  a statement condoling his sad demise: “It is big loss to the world of TV journalism. Jehangir was a dear colleague of ours and was a guiding force in BEA’s activities.”

     

    Former IBN18 editor in chief Rajdeep Sardesai tweeted, “Deep condolences to family of Jehangir Pocha. Life is transient, but was lived well. RIP”

     

    Anupam Kher’s tweet: “Can’t believe that is no more. Just spoke to him few days back. One of the best journalists & human beings. So so sad. RIP”

     

    Senior news TV journalist Dibang  tweeted: “Oh suddenly passes away Life is transient, can end suddenly; we plan for future, now is the only moment we have:

     

    Colors TV CEO Raj Nayak had this to say in his tweet: “A friend who tweeted 10 hrs ago, who came to meet me few days back to discuss his future plans is suddenly no more RIP “

     

    Journalist and digital entrepreneur Govind Ethiraj tweeted “RIP wonderful guy, India’s best China journalist, great writer.”

     

    The soft spoken Pocha’s tweeted late last night: “Hurrying Home…”

     

    Pocha’s tweet was in response to a news clipping that he had attached with it. It referred to a High court judgement stating that “constantly reaching home late from work without informing your wife amounts to cruelty. “

     

    He is survived by his wife Ranjana and twins.

     

    RIP!  Jehangir.

  • Arnab Goswami receives Society Young Achievers’ Awards

    Mumbai:Times Now editor in chief Arnab Goswami was awarded the Society Young Achievers’ Awards 2007 in the Media category at Hilton Towers, Mumbai on 25 January. The Society Young Achievers Award recognizes young talent for their achievements in the fields of media, fine arts, films, music, sports, fashion & business.

    The award for Young Achiever in Media was given to Arnab Goswami for his contribution and achievement in the world of News. A post-graduate from Oxford University, author and journalist, Arnab is Editor-in-Chief of the country’s fastest growing News channel, TIMES NOW. Amongst the others nominated for the award were Meneka Doshi, Mumbai Bureau Chief, CNBC TV 18; Muzamil Jaleel, Kashmir Bureau Chief, Indian Express and Arko Datta, Photographer, Reuters for their outstanding performance in journalism.

    On receiving the award, Arnab Goswami, Editor-in-Chief, TIMES NOW said, “What we do at TIMES NOW is News and for our viewers we are focused on making sense of the news. I accept this recognition on behalf of all my colleagues at TIMES NOW”

    Recipient of the Asian Television Award for the best news presenter, Arnab is known for his keen and insightful anchoring on ‘The News Hour’ and for his sharp interviews with prominent News makers on ‘Frankly Speaking’, both on TIMES NOW. He is known to have brought the otherwise reticent Sonia Gandhi for an interview on television.

    The award for the media category was adjudged by a jury comprising Mr. Vijay Darda and Mr. Kumar Ketkar and by votes from readers of the magazine.