ITV

Tag: Newshour

  • Times Now tops the chart with 116 mn views on YouTube & Facebook in October

    Times Now tops the chart with 116 mn views on YouTube & Facebook in October

    Mumbai:  Times Now has emerged as India’s most-watched English news channel on digital platforms in the news genre.

    According to a data released by Crowdtangle & Vidooly, Times Now clocked a staggering viewership of 116 million on YouTube and Facebook in October surpassing CNN-News18 (105 million), India Today (104 million), NDTV (82 million), and Republic TV (18 million). On the back of the fastest news, exclusive news breaks and most viewed prime-time shows – India Upfront and Newshour, the channel registered a phenomenal reach of over 1 billion on digital.

    Times Now claims to be a leader in the digital space with innovative content formats that seamlessly adapt to the preferences of viewers who are tech savvy, setting industry benchmarks with its distinct brand of action-oriented journalism that is firmly based on reliable, accurate, and decisive news reporting.

    According to Facebook Data, as informed by the media conglomerate, Times Now attracted over 210 million views on its digital films across Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Timesnownews.com with a series of digital-first videos that include comprehensive insights on every significant news topic of the day. With 2.35 million interactions, the highest number in the cohort, and a total reach of 125 million for the month of October on the platform, Facebook saw a channel with a high level of engagement.

    Times Network president & COO of digital business Rohit Chadda said, “We are overwhelmed with the viewer’s response as their preferred news destination on digital platforms. The growing reach and engagement on digital are a testament to the viewers’ trust in Times Now. Video has now become the preferred format of news consumption and will only grow further with the launch of 5G. We are committed to expanding our video coverage to cater to all cohorts of users consuming content online.”

    With a focus on in-depth, well-researched content, coupled with coverage of big-ticket events, Times Now has been expanding its digital footprint globally with over 50 per cent of views on YouTube from International markets including US, Europe and APAC regions.

  • Times Network MD & CEO MK Anand speaks out on l’affaire Arnab

    Times Network MD & CEO MK Anand speaks out on l’affaire Arnab

    MUMBAI: Times Network MD & CEO MK Anand is known to be a rather reticent kind of executive. He would rather keep a low profile and speak only when he is approached. So, when he decides to open up to the media, there’s obviously something he wants to set right.

    Says he: “Ever since Arnab’s departure, the rumour mills have been running amok and a lot of canards have been let loose. I would like to set them right.”

    According to Anand, first is the buzz that Arnab left because he was being sidelined, and that he did not have much editorial independence. “The fact is that there was zero pressure on him,” he says. “We don’t meddle with the editorial policy. I have spoken to him on content matters only twice since I have been here. And, the shareholders do not really get in to day-to-day operations at all.”

    Anand shares that it was Arnab who announced his departure to his team before putting out his resignation to him, and let it to go viral on social media.

    “We share a good relationship. We continued carrying his picture and name on the shows he used to host for a long time even after he announced his departure. Even on the last day, I had lunch with him and there was no negativity. I would have loved to retain him. I was saddened to see him go and, of course, I miss him,” he acknowledges.

    Anand berates the fact that there seems to be a campaign to malign Times Now. “People were saying that Times Now and Arnab are synonymous. That Times Now has sunk after Arnab. BARC data shows otherwise. Week 1-45 of this year, Times Now had an audience share of 41 per cent; week 46-50 it has the same 41 per cent,” he says.

    Then, there is the rumour that the news channel lost Rs 100 crore in revenue post-Arnab. “Untrue again. While I believe it’s worth that much, I wish we made so much money on NewsHour that he used to anchor,” he expresses.

    Market estimates are that Arnab’s prime time shows contributed around Rs 50-60 crore to the channel’s top line, figures which Anand is unwilling to confirm.

    “The advertisers who were there when Arnab was anchoring are there even when he is not,” says he. “Just take a look at the Adex data for October and November.”

    What Anand wants to finally rectify is the perception that hordes of journalists have followed in the wake of Arnab. “Times Now has 320 employees,” he says. “Nine have left. We have a normal attrition rate of 25 per cent which is about 80 people leaving each year or around six to seven staffers each month. If we lose nine people, it does not mean there has been an exodus. 311 staffers have chosen to stay on.”

  • Times Network MD & CEO MK Anand speaks out on l’affaire Arnab

    Times Network MD & CEO MK Anand speaks out on l’affaire Arnab

    MUMBAI: Times Network MD & CEO MK Anand is known to be a rather reticent kind of executive. He would rather keep a low profile and speak only when he is approached. So, when he decides to open up to the media, there’s obviously something he wants to set right.

    Says he: “Ever since Arnab’s departure, the rumour mills have been running amok and a lot of canards have been let loose. I would like to set them right.”

    According to Anand, first is the buzz that Arnab left because he was being sidelined, and that he did not have much editorial independence. “The fact is that there was zero pressure on him,” he says. “We don’t meddle with the editorial policy. I have spoken to him on content matters only twice since I have been here. And, the shareholders do not really get in to day-to-day operations at all.”

    Anand shares that it was Arnab who announced his departure to his team before putting out his resignation to him, and let it to go viral on social media.

    “We share a good relationship. We continued carrying his picture and name on the shows he used to host for a long time even after he announced his departure. Even on the last day, I had lunch with him and there was no negativity. I would have loved to retain him. I was saddened to see him go and, of course, I miss him,” he acknowledges.

    Anand berates the fact that there seems to be a campaign to malign Times Now. “People were saying that Times Now and Arnab are synonymous. That Times Now has sunk after Arnab. BARC data shows otherwise. Week 1-45 of this year, Times Now had an audience share of 41 per cent; week 46-50 it has the same 41 per cent,” he says.

    Then, there is the rumour that the news channel lost Rs 100 crore in revenue post-Arnab. “Untrue again. While I believe it’s worth that much, I wish we made so much money on NewsHour that he used to anchor,” he expresses.

    Market estimates are that Arnab’s prime time shows contributed around Rs 50-60 crore to the channel’s top line, figures which Anand is unwilling to confirm.

    “The advertisers who were there when Arnab was anchoring are there even when he is not,” says he. “Just take a look at the Adex data for October and November.”

    What Anand wants to finally rectify is the perception that hordes of journalists have followed in the wake of Arnab. “Times Now has 320 employees,” he says. “Nine have left. We have a normal attrition rate of 25 per cent which is about 80 people leaving each year or around six to seven staffers each month. If we lose nine people, it does not mean there has been an exodus. 311 staffers have chosen to stay on.”

  • Times accepts Arnab’s resignation; to host Newshour till Nov-end

    Times accepts Arnab’s resignation; to host Newshour till Nov-end

    MUMBAI: Much has been speculated about what will happen to Times Now after the exit of its star anchor.

    The news of Arnab Goswami’s resignation sent tremors across newsrooms and the social media went berserk. Over the last couple of days, the channel has been flashing, “Arnab will be back tomorrow night”. Guess, that will come to an end till the later half of November 2016.

    The Times Group has accepted the resignation of the president news and editor-in-chief of Times Now, ET Now and Magicbricks Now. Goswami will remain in his current position with Times Network till the later half of November 2016 and will continue anchoring the flagship show The Newshour till then.

    “Times Network cherishes the decade-long association with Arnab. We are sure he will do well in his next endeavor and our good wishes are with him,” said Times Network MD and CEO M K Anand.

    In the spirit of reciprocity, Goswami remembered his long journey with the channel and shared, “It’s been an exciting ride at Times Network. We have changed the way news is done and I have worked with fantastic professionals in this journey. To these professionals, I dedicate the success of the last decade as I look forward now to the future.”

    The nation has to only remain calm till we hear next from Goswami. Only time can say what will happen to Times Now whose identity has been linked to its most vocal anchor from over a decade.

  • Times accepts Arnab’s resignation; to host Newshour till Nov-end

    Times accepts Arnab’s resignation; to host Newshour till Nov-end

    MUMBAI: Much has been speculated about what will happen to Times Now after the exit of its star anchor.

    The news of Arnab Goswami’s resignation sent tremors across newsrooms and the social media went berserk. Over the last couple of days, the channel has been flashing, “Arnab will be back tomorrow night”. Guess, that will come to an end till the later half of November 2016.

    The Times Group has accepted the resignation of the president news and editor-in-chief of Times Now, ET Now and Magicbricks Now. Goswami will remain in his current position with Times Network till the later half of November 2016 and will continue anchoring the flagship show The Newshour till then.

    “Times Network cherishes the decade-long association with Arnab. We are sure he will do well in his next endeavor and our good wishes are with him,” said Times Network MD and CEO M K Anand.

    In the spirit of reciprocity, Goswami remembered his long journey with the channel and shared, “It’s been an exciting ride at Times Network. We have changed the way news is done and I have worked with fantastic professionals in this journey. To these professionals, I dedicate the success of the last decade as I look forward now to the future.”

    The nation has to only remain calm till we hear next from Goswami. Only time can say what will happen to Times Now whose identity has been linked to its most vocal anchor from over a decade.

  • The after-effect of Arnab Goswami’s exit

    The after-effect of Arnab Goswami’s exit

    MUMBAI: Seldom in the media industry, there are days when the newscaster becomes the breaking news. November 1 was one such day. November 1 was Arnab Goswami’s last day in office. Tuesday’s episode of The Newshour was Goswami’s last.

    The dynamic broadcast journalist who is often credited with pioneering debate-style news programming in India has called it a day as the editor-in-chief of the news channel — Times Now.

    Since the news surfaced, the media world has gone loony trying to guess ‘what is next for Arnab?’ Some speculate that Goswami plans to start his own independent media venture with digital media leanings, based on the strong hints that he had earlier dropped at a conference.

    Amid the hue and cry of ‘The nation wants to know’ what Goswami is up to post-Times Now, a question that hasn’t been entertained is — what does Arnab Goswami’s exit from Times Now mean for the channel and its network?

    While the channel hasn’t come out with an official statement (until the filing of this article) to address Goswami’s resignation, or its plans to find a replacement of Goswami, both as the face of the channel as well as the host of The Newshour, it goes without saying that the channel’s flagship prime time debate show ‘The Newshour’ that brings the channel its highest ad rates will not retain its brand identity without Goswami’s emphatic voice and pointed questions.

    Credited to most often boasting a full ad inventory, the show’s contribution to the network’s revenues is uncontested, and rumoured to be north of Rs 100 crore.

    A media expert requesting anonymity outright rejected the Rs 100-crore plus effect on Times revenue that is being bandied about in the news industry circles. According to this expert, the total revenue of Times Network was in the range of Rs 160-170 crore; how could the effect of the departure of an anchor be three-fourths of that figure?

    Although he admitted that it would definitely dent Times Network’s revenues, he was not willing to put a figure to it. He however acknowledged that The Newshour revenue commanded 8-10x the overall ‘Times Now’ channel’s ER. He sought to extrapolate a figure at the rate of Rs 20,000 per 10-second ad slot of the program.

    While other media experts shied away from commenting on the immediate monetary effect that Goswami’s decision would cost the network, most unanimously agreed that this event will definitely have significant repercussions.

    “Arnab has created a distinct identity within the English News consumers mind space. Newshour commands a premium over the channel’s operating rates to the tune of 10X, and that will have its impact on perception and pricing of the show. Having said that, organisations are larger than individuals, and Times is an entity that is a seasoned media / news group,” said Reliance Broadcast Network Limited’s chief business officer Vikas Khanchandani.

    Echoing similar sentiments was Dentsu Aegis Network south Asia chairman Ashish Bhasin. “Whenever someone as prominent and established as Arnab Goswami, who was akin to the face of Times Now the channel, leaves, it does shake up the network. I foresee a period of settling down on the part of the channel, post-Goswami’s resignation. Having said that, I believe organisations are larger than individuals and they will find an appropriate content replacement and a presenter on air.”

    Commenting on the ad rates of the show post-Goswami, Bhasin shared, “Tying it (Goswami’s resignation) to a loss in the network’s revenue and business will be making a hasty judgement. Ad rates aren’t as spontaneous as the stock exchange. The first effect, if any, will be on the viewership numbers. Only if the viewership numbers continue to drop for a prolonged period of time will there be an effect on the ad rates.”

    Whether Goswami’s goodbye will blow a hole in Times Now’s pockets or whether The Newshour will retain its glory amid loyal advertisers, or whether the network will replace the debate show with an equally engaging content are things that we can’t put a finger on for certain. What we do know for sure is that Goswami quitting Times Now is unprecedented in the industry.

    Said senior journalist in CNN-News18 is Bhupendra Chaubey: I have not worked with him for almost 10 years now but, what I remember of him as a colleague in NDTV, he is a bright companion. I wish him all the luck with whatever he plans to do.

    Similarly senior media executive and BTVi COO Monica Tata too expressed her shock upon hearing the news. “Waiting to hear more news about his future plans,” she added.

  • The after-effect of Arnab Goswami’s exit

    The after-effect of Arnab Goswami’s exit

    MUMBAI: Seldom in the media industry, there are days when the newscaster becomes the breaking news. November 1 was one such day. November 1 was Arnab Goswami’s last day in office. Tuesday’s episode of The Newshour was Goswami’s last.

    The dynamic broadcast journalist who is often credited with pioneering debate-style news programming in India has called it a day as the editor-in-chief of the news channel — Times Now.

    Since the news surfaced, the media world has gone loony trying to guess ‘what is next for Arnab?’ Some speculate that Goswami plans to start his own independent media venture with digital media leanings, based on the strong hints that he had earlier dropped at a conference.

    Amid the hue and cry of ‘The nation wants to know’ what Goswami is up to post-Times Now, a question that hasn’t been entertained is — what does Arnab Goswami’s exit from Times Now mean for the channel and its network?

    While the channel hasn’t come out with an official statement (until the filing of this article) to address Goswami’s resignation, or its plans to find a replacement of Goswami, both as the face of the channel as well as the host of The Newshour, it goes without saying that the channel’s flagship prime time debate show ‘The Newshour’ that brings the channel its highest ad rates will not retain its brand identity without Goswami’s emphatic voice and pointed questions.

    Credited to most often boasting a full ad inventory, the show’s contribution to the network’s revenues is uncontested, and rumoured to be north of Rs 100 crore.

    A media expert requesting anonymity outright rejected the Rs 100-crore plus effect on Times revenue that is being bandied about in the news industry circles. According to this expert, the total revenue of Times Network was in the range of Rs 160-170 crore; how could the effect of the departure of an anchor be three-fourths of that figure?

    Although he admitted that it would definitely dent Times Network’s revenues, he was not willing to put a figure to it. He however acknowledged that The Newshour revenue commanded 8-10x the overall ‘Times Now’ channel’s ER. He sought to extrapolate a figure at the rate of Rs 20,000 per 10-second ad slot of the program.

    While other media experts shied away from commenting on the immediate monetary effect that Goswami’s decision would cost the network, most unanimously agreed that this event will definitely have significant repercussions.

    “Arnab has created a distinct identity within the English News consumers mind space. Newshour commands a premium over the channel’s operating rates to the tune of 10X, and that will have its impact on perception and pricing of the show. Having said that, organisations are larger than individuals, and Times is an entity that is a seasoned media / news group,” said Reliance Broadcast Network Limited’s chief business officer Vikas Khanchandani.

    Echoing similar sentiments was Dentsu Aegis Network south Asia chairman Ashish Bhasin. “Whenever someone as prominent and established as Arnab Goswami, who was akin to the face of Times Now the channel, leaves, it does shake up the network. I foresee a period of settling down on the part of the channel, post-Goswami’s resignation. Having said that, I believe organisations are larger than individuals and they will find an appropriate content replacement and a presenter on air.”

    Commenting on the ad rates of the show post-Goswami, Bhasin shared, “Tying it (Goswami’s resignation) to a loss in the network’s revenue and business will be making a hasty judgement. Ad rates aren’t as spontaneous as the stock exchange. The first effect, if any, will be on the viewership numbers. Only if the viewership numbers continue to drop for a prolonged period of time will there be an effect on the ad rates.”

    Whether Goswami’s goodbye will blow a hole in Times Now’s pockets or whether The Newshour will retain its glory amid loyal advertisers, or whether the network will replace the debate show with an equally engaging content are things that we can’t put a finger on for certain. What we do know for sure is that Goswami quitting Times Now is unprecedented in the industry.

    Said senior journalist in CNN-News18 is Bhupendra Chaubey: I have not worked with him for almost 10 years now but, what I remember of him as a colleague in NDTV, he is a bright companion. I wish him all the luck with whatever he plans to do.

    Similarly senior media executive and BTVi COO Monica Tata too expressed her shock upon hearing the news. “Waiting to hear more news about his future plans,” she added.

  • Rabindra Mishra to head BBC World Service in Nepal

    Rabindra Mishra to head BBC World Service in Nepal

    MUMBAI: BBC World Service has appointed 39-year-old Rabindra Mishra as the new head of BBC Nepali.

    Mishra is responsible for the editorial output of BBC Nepali broadcasts, the staff in London and Kathmandu and contributions from freelance journalists located throughout Nepal. He first joined BBC World service in 1995 as a producer with BBC Nepali.

    Later, he worked on English language flagship programmes, including World Today and Newshour, and in the BBC World Service Newsroom before returning to BBC Nepali to be its desk editor. He said, “I have an excellent team to work with, both in the UK and Nepal, and I am sure we will continue to meet the expectations of our valued audience. News from Nepal is presently dominating the world headlines and accurate reporting by the BBC is, now more than ever, absolutely vital.”

    Before joining the BBC, Rabindra worked with Pakistan’s English language daily, The New International and with Nepal Television.

    BBC Nepali has been serving audiences for 35 years. BBC Nepali programmes cover a wide spectrum of news stories, features, and regular analyses on Nepalese issues. It currently broadcasts 30 minutes daily on shortwave, which is rebroadcast by nine FM stations in Nepal. There is also a growing audience of Nepalese living outside the country who go to bbcnepali.com for programmes, in text and audio.