News Broadcasting
TV Today Network cites tepid growth, less revenue for discontinuing Delhi Aaj Tak
MUMBAI: Recently, TV Today Network announced that the transmission of its Hindi news channel Delhi Aaj Tak (DAT) will be discontinued from the midnight of 30 June 2020. Speculations on the reasons for the closure were rife. The news network, however, has cited the tepid growth of the channel as a reason for discontinuing its operations.
In a regulatory filing, TV Today Network said that DAT contributes less than one per cent to the total revenues of the company. It informed that total income from DAT for FY 20 was Rs 370.93 lakh out of the total income Rs 89,956.52 lakh of the company. The net worth contribution by DAT was also negligible.
“Further, the business of DAT has not grown over the years, hence it is not viable to continue with the transmission and operations of DAT. Also, services of some of the people working in channel ‘Dilli Aaj Tak’ can be utilised more effectively in supporting the operations of the flagship channel of the company viz. AajTak. It is pertinent to mention that since the channel comprises of an insignificant portion of business of the company, therefore the said discontinuation shall not have any material impact on overall business of the company,” it added.
The channel was launched 12 years ago on 31 December 2007. TV Today Network also has three other channels: Aaj Tak (Hindi), India Today Television (English), Aaj Tak Tez (Hindi).
News Broadcasting
Mihir Bhatt appointed as chief content officer at News18 Studios
The media veteran brings two decades of experience across television, digital and radio to one of India’s biggest broadcast networks, Disney+ Hotstar, Discovery+
NEW DELHI: Network18 has a new strategist in the building. Mihir Bhatt, one of Indian media’s more versatile operators, has joined News18 Studios as chief content officer, stepping into a role that will see him shape content strategy, build multi-platform properties and drive brand partnerships across the network.
Bhatt brings more than two decades of experience spanning television, digital and radio, with a track record of doing something rare in Indian media: combining editorial ambition with hard commercial results. At Times Network, where he served as managing editor and chief business officer of Times Influence, he built one of the industry’s more respected content studios, launching marquee properties such as the India Economic Conclave, the Times Now Summit and Leaders of Tomorrow. He also pushed the network into premium OTT territory through tie-ups with Disney+ Hotstar and Discovery+.
His resume stretches well beyond the studio. Bhatt has led Global Investor Summits for multiple state governments, worked alongside the World Economic Forum and played a pivotal role in launching the Indian Pickleball League. Earlier, as editor of Zee Business, he pioneered investor education initiatives that are still cited as industry benchmarks.
At News18 Studios, Bhatt will report to chief executive S Shivakumar and will oversee the studios execution vertical alongside revenue verticals covering emerging markets and campaigns. Sidharth Saini, Hemanth Kumar and Nimar Sarkaria will work under him.
Rahul Joshi, managing director and editor-in-chief of Network18 Group, made the announcement in an internal communication. “Mihir’s ability to build enduring brands, foster strategic partnerships and navigate a rapidly evolving media landscape will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our position and explore new avenues of growth in the Studios business,” Joshi said.
In a media industry lurching between disruption and reinvention, Network18 has bet on a man who has spent two decades thriving in exactly that chaos. Whether he can do it again, at greater scale, is the question worth watching.
