News Broadcasting
No-frills, non-agenda Patrika channel wants to air news – unequivocally
MUMBAI: The art of communicating simple yet hard-hitting information sometimes termed as journalism for arming and guarding people at large, which seemed to have lost its significance in the cacophony of television channels, brand heralds, entertainment and event noises, may gradually gain importance if the idealistic Arnab and the likes were to succeed.
One more crucial addition to the profession of news publication is the unique channel, Patrika TV Rajasthan, which assures to be non-political, non-agenda, non-entertainment, serious and responsible news channel from the legendary house of print journalism.
The Patrika group has now forayed into TV news channel by launching a free-to-air Hindi news channel Patrika TV Rajasthan. The channel started airing on 5 April, thus joining the likes of Times and ABP groups.
The news channel by just-turned-multimedia group is being led by Rajasthan Patrika group vice-president B R Singh and group deputy editor Bhuvnesh Jain, who will oversee content as well. The group believes in trusting their own people, and therefore, instead of hiring people from the market, they recast their internal team for television roles.
The channel is available in HD feed and will air news content from 6am to 11pm. The programming content of the channel caters to news from all genres, such as — politics, socio-cultural, environment, business and markets, sports, youth and women-centric issues, music, culture, art and other special events.
A standard day for the news channel starts with Dharam Karam, a show based on spirituality followed by Sehat aur Zindagi at 6:30 am, and then news updates from Rajasthan at 7am. The channel has lined up some interesting segments such as ‘She News’ aired at 11.30am, which will take up women-centric issues. ‘She Leads’ at 4pm will focus on women leaders.
Patrika primetime, a debate on the latest issues, is also a part of the bouquet. Sports news will be aired at 7pm, and at 10:30 pm, Primetime 2 will be telecast — it will have discussion on important issues.
At present, the channel is available on two DTH platforms, Tata Sky and Airtel Digital TV. “We are in talks with other players as well. We will also be taking the channel on major cable operators as well as local. We are in talks with Den and Hathway,” BR Singh told www.indiantelevision.com.
Singh said, “Patrika group is known for its idealistic journalism and credibility. We are not here to compete with anyone. We are known for value journalism, and with this ideology, we have launched the news channel.”
The news channel is also accessible on mobile phones. Singh informed that the network has 2000 reporters and experts spread across the country. The reporters can capture the news on their mobile devices and through CCMS software they can transfer the file to the broadcast centre at a much faster than standard time.
A component content management system (CCMS) is a content management system that manages content at a granular level (component) rather than at the document level. Each component represents a single topic, concept or asset (for example an image, table, product description, a procedure).
Generally, when a channel is launched, the first question that comes to one’s mind is about investment. Here, the case seems to be different.
The channel is following an economic model, and how. Patrika Group seems to have designed a unique cost-efficient format.
The group has skipped investing in a massive infrastructure generally required to establish a new channel. They already own huge office space and a significant cost saving has been done by utilising internal resources in terms of staff.
The cost of setting up studios, investing in cameras and allied equipment has been curtailed since the new model uses CCMS. Patrika TV Rajasthan is now out to capture the television universe through its no-frills model.
A pen is definitely mightier than the sword. Whether a branded, expensive or fancy pen is important or the thought, conviction and resolve behind the draft is significant, time will tell.
News Broadcasting
GenNext takes charge as Network18 reshuffles leadership
With Avinash Kaul bowing out, Network18 hands reins to younger leaders, streamlines operations, and pushes data-driven growth across TV, digital and regional markets
MUMBAI: Network18 is redrawing its leadership map just as a long-time lieutenant bows out. Avinash Kaul, a central figure in the broadcaster’s rise since 2014, is leaving after 12 years to pursue “professional and personal goals”, triggering a broad-based reshuffle that puts a younger cohort directly under the top brass.
Kaul joined at a pivotal moment during the company’s transition and went on to scale the television business, combining strategic nous with data-led decision-making and a sharp read of the news landscape. “Avinash has been an integral part of the Network18 story,” the company said, thanking him for his leadership of the broadcast business and wishing him the best for the future.
In his wake, Network18 is betting on what it calls a “young and restless” leadership bench. “The team has taken charge and proved its mettle in quite adverse circumstances,” the note said, adding that “GenNext has seamlessly stepped in as we continue to outperform our peers.”
Operationally, the structure is being flattened. Smriti Mehra, S Shivakumar and Mitul Sangani will work directly with the top leadership, as they did in the fourth quarter. Ganesh Iyer and Abhinay Chauhan continue in their existing roles, while younger executives are being handed wider mandates across social, digital, connected TV and linear.
The reporting lines are being tightened to drive revenue and product momentum. Prabhat Chatterjee, business head–Forbes, and Arun Thapar, president–content and communication for AETN-18, will report to Smriti Mehra, alongside Mallika Nath Handa, who will lead special projects spanning new shows and non-linear properties. Jayesh Gokalgandhi, CFO for AETN-18, will report to Ramesh Damani.
Mitul Sangani will oversee expansion in Hindi and regional markets, with Sidharth Newatia, CRO–ILC, focusing on reach and revenue growth, particularly in tier-II and III markets. Pankaj Soni, head of marketing–ILC, will also report to Sangani while working functionally with Ganesh Iyer.
The group is also consolidating its branded content play. Moneycontrol’s branded content business will be folded into News18 Studio, with Don Zarrar moving to work with Shivakumar while continuing to lead existing studio and Focus teams.
International and platform growth are being bundled together. Pranav Bakshi takes on additional charge of the international business alongside connected TV and social platforms, with Naveen Mathur, who leads revenue management for the international unit, reporting to him. Bakshi continues to report to Puneet Singhvi.
On the technology and operations side, Rajesh Sharma, head of broadcast technology and IT; Rahul Singh, head of events and technical operations; and Bhupender Bhardwaj, head of IT security, will now report to Singhvi. Darshil Parekh, head of sales strategy, planning and operations, will work directly with Ramesh Damani and the top leadership, with Stanley Cyril, who manages digital sales operations, reporting to him.
Data is being pushed to the centre of decision-making. Jitamitra Mohanty, who leads research and analytics, will now work with Santosh Menon to turn audience data into “actionable insights that drive content strategy, product innovation and sustainable viewership growth”.
The message is clear: fewer layers, faster calls, sharper bets. With Kaul’s exit closing one chapter, Network18 is handing the wheel to a younger crew and doubling down on scale across screens. The race, it signals, will be run at full tilt.
