New Delhi: Sending major shockwaves across the media establishment, renowned news anchor Arnab Goswami announced his departure from Times Now.
Arnab has resigned from the post of Times Now editor-in-chief. He is expected to leave the company shortly. In the final address he made to Times Now employees via the Mumbai bureau, Arnab hinted about his next moves.
In what makes one assume that he would launch his own media outlet in the upcoming days, Arnab said, “Independent media is going to thrive.” Arnab gave another teaser by stating, “Game has just begun”, reported The Quint.
As per the report, the cryptic phrase was repeated by Arnab nearly 15 times in hour-long speech.
Report claims that Arnab is expected to leave Times Now along with a band of employees who are close to him. Releasing another major hint about his next move, Arnab claimed that his next project would be a “formidable competition to BBC and CNN”.
While the remarks of Arnab has created uncertainty among his loyal fan base, it has certainly disappointed Times Now. The channel solely depends upon his primetime news show, The Newshour, for their TRP. Year after year, the show has continued to capture the top spot in primetime television.
As far as ratings are concerned, Times Now was way ahead than its opponents between the time period of 9-11. According to Exchange for Media, Times Now has maintained its grip as the number one channel in the primetime slot between 9-11 for a consecutive period of eight years. The Newshour has captured 70 per cent of audience share. He is considered to be the journalist with the most loyal fan base.
According to sources within Times Now, Arnab is likely to turn into a entrepreneur in the media industry. Since 2007, he has largely been credited for all the commercial success of Times Now. According to unverified rumours on social media, Arnab could possibly be joining the English news channel expected to be launched by Zee Media Corporation.
Arnab Goswami began his career in journalism way back in 1995, after completing his Masters in Social Anthropology from Oxford University.
Subsequently, he joined the Kolkata-based newspaper The Telegraph as a reporter. Within a year, he switched to the then budding television news industry. He was part of DD News. In a short span of time, he joined New Delhi Television (NDTV) as a news reader.
Arnab became part of Times Now in 2006. He was elevated to the post of editor-in-chief. The Newshour show which would air on November 1 would be the final episode featuring him at the Time Now’s primetime slot.
According to an Indian Express report, “…he announced his resignation at an editorial meeting. Goswami resigned from the post as he wanted to start something on his own, said sources.”
A report in The Quint said Goswami announced his resignation to Times Now employees in Mumbai newsroom with other bureaus like Delhi joining via video conferencing.
The Quint report also gives some further details of this meeting. “Independent media is going to thrive,”Goswami said while hinting at his future plans. Goswami said that he would not be quitting television media or the news industry adding, “The game has just begun.” This phrase was repeated at least 15 times during the hour long speech, according to people privy to the announcement’s details.
“Sources within the Times Group indicate that Arnab Goswami may have been in discussions with another organisation to set up a new television and digital news venture for the past six months,” The Quint reported. “It was also indicated that at least a handful of Times Now employees will move to the new project along with him. In Arnab’s words, the new project will be a “formidable competition to BBC and CNN.”
(Source: india.com)