iWorld
Arnab’s Republic widens footprint on Facebook, Twitter
NEW DELHI: The nation is warming up to the Republic. Former Times TV Network chief editor Arnab Goswami, who quit late 2016 the media house where he built his career, is now whipping up social media frenzy with his new news and media venture dubbed Republic News.
“The nation wants to know! We are now live on social. Until we hit your screens, track the revolution here! #RepublicOnSocial,” Republic or @republic tweeted on January 7, 2017 on its page that says it’s the official page of “India’s most awaited news venture” going on to add that “Republic is independent. Republic is global. Republic is disruptive. Republic is your movement. Join us.”
Republic News India’s Facebook page already has about 14,000 `Likes’, while the Twitter page (handle @Republic) has over 43,000 followers till the time of writing this report. And, the number is growing. Some five thousand followers got added to the Twitter page between January, 7 2017 evening and January 8, 2017 afternoon as tweets are getting pinned by a global PR company, probably hired to oversee external communications, and retweets happening by media personalities, including the likes of South Asia chief of world’s largest advertising company.
“I have placed my belief in the people of India. I believe in this republic. There is a reason why I have named it Republic – It’s for the public, voice of the public, undiluted. And I promise you today that till my last day in this profession, I will not let down your faith in me. I am placing my belief in you.” This is a message that has been attributed to Goswami on December 27, 2016 on the FB page of Republic News (@RepublicIndiaNews), which some observers described as mushy, theatrical and true to Goswami’s style.
The sugary social media messages of RepublicIndiaNews continued on FB in the new year: “The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written.’Best Hope’ is the only word that is been reminded by me every new year evening. Wishing A Very Hopeful New Year Ahead to all my fans and well wishers. #HappyNewYear #Republic.” Both the Twitter and FB page carry a stylised photo of Goswami.
The ‘About’ section of the FB page lists the owner/creator of the page as “News and Media House” and gives no other details or when the news venture likely to be launched.
Though Goswami doesn’t have FB or Twitter page under his personal name, a tradition he seems to have carried from his Times Now days in sharp contrast to some his fellow celeb TV news anchors who are hyper active on social media — and get trolled heavily often by pro-government accounts — the Twitter handle @Repubic thanked the social media platform for associating with it and handing out an official welcome to the about-to-be-launched news venture, which also added to the buzz creation.
Goswami announced his decision to quit Times Now early November 2016 first to his editorial team after returning from a trip to the Maldives and later conveyed it to his corporate bosses, which riled many within the Times of India group who felt that the editorial head used the Times group to create a new platform for himself by posturing on issues that were blatantly pro-BJP government in New Delhi.
Meanwhile, media industry sources indicated that the application for Goswami’s news venture has been made to the government last month seeking at least various clearances to start a TV news channel. Though sketchy details are available, but the company lists a Kolkata-based businessman and a Bangalore-based media-entrepreneur-turned-politician as backers. This information could not be confirmed independently by Indiantelevision.com from the Republic or relevant government organisations.
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iWorld
Netflix cuts jobs in product division amid restructuring
Layoffs hit creative studio unit as leadership and strategy shifts unfold.
MUMBAI: The streaming wars may be fought on screen, but the latest plot twist is unfolding behind the scenes. Netflix has reportedly begun laying off several dozen employees from its product division as part of an internal reorganisation, according to a report by Variety. The cuts are believed to have primarily affected the company’s creative studio unit, which works on marketing assets such as in app trailers, promotional visuals and live experience content for the streaming platform.
The company has not disclosed the exact number of employees impacted.
According to the report, the layoffs were not tied to employee performance. Instead, the restructuring eliminated certain roles while other employees were reassigned to different teams within the organisation.
The roles affected are understood to include designers, producers and creative specialists responsible for marketing and brand experience initiatives.
The job cuts come as Netflix adjusts its leadership structure and reshapes its product and creative teams. Last month, Elizabeth Stone was promoted from chief technology officer to chief product and technology officer, giving her oversight of product, engineering and data operations across the company.
Earlier, in December 2025, Netflix also appointed Martin Rose as head of creative for global brand and partnerships, a move seen as part of a broader restructuring of the company’s brand and product functions.
Despite the layoffs, Netflix remains one of the largest employers in the streaming sector. The company is estimated to employ around 16,000 people globally, with roughly 70 percent of its workforce based in the United States and Canada. In 2023, the company reported approximately 13,000 employees, indicating that its headcount had grown significantly before the latest restructuring.
The workforce changes arrive at a time when Netflix is navigating a shifting financial and strategic landscape in the global entertainment industry.
The streaming giant recently secured $2.8 billion in additional cash after receiving a breakup fee from Paramount Skydance following its withdrawal from a deal involving Warner Bros. Discovery.
Speaking to Bloomberg, Netflix co chief executive Ted Sarandos explained that the company had evaluated multiple scenarios during the negotiations but chose not to match the competing offer once it learned that a higher bid had been submitted.
Netflix had capped its offer at $27.75 per share and ultimately stepped back rather than pursue Paramount’s $111 billion acquisition deal, which included a personal guarantee.
Sarandos also cautioned that the financing structure behind the Paramount Skydance transaction could have ripple effects across the entertainment industry.
According to him, the debt heavy deal could trigger significant cost cutting, with David Ellison, chief executive of Paramount Skydance, expected to eliminate about $16 billion in costs and potentially cut thousands of jobs as part of the integration process.
For Netflix, the current restructuring appears to be part of a broader attempt to streamline operations while continuing to invest in product, technology and global content even as the streaming industry enters a new phase of consolidation and financial discipline.
