MUMBAI: In the changing dynamics at Times Now, there has been a re-framing of sorts. After the much-talked departure of prime time host and editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami, the channel roped in former senior editor Rahul Shivshankar as the chief editor.
Now, in a recent development, NewsX managing editor Hector Kenneth Kumar has joined Times Now as managing editor. Kumar is an engineering graduate from MIT Manipal University, who worked briefly as an engineer before venturing into the mainstream media. He was a member of the core team of Times Now’s launch. His contributions took the editorial function of the channel to new heights as he is skilled in aligning business goals with the news strategy of the organisation.
Times Now MD and CEO MK Anand confirmed the development to indiantelevision.com. Kumar who joined Times Now in mid-December, was earlier with NewsX for a short stint from September 2016.
This would be Shivshankar’s and Kumar’s second stints with the network after six years and three months, respectively. Rahul had earlier worked as the senior editor of Times Now and the executive editor of Headlines Today (TV Today Network).
On the other front, Arnab has made the much-awaited announcement of his next venture, named ‘Republic’.
According to people familiar with parleys leading up to his resignation, Arnab left Times Now following differences with its owners, the Jains – Sameer, Vineet and Raj – of Bennett Coleman & Co Ltd. On his plans, Arnab had said, “Independent media is going to thrive, the game has just begun.”
With newsmen from NewsX hopping onto Times Now, it would be interesting to see how the former deals with the changing times. Times Now for its part has been slightly ahead of competition in the recent past and it all began with Arnab leading the charge with his firebrand version of heated TV debates.
