Times Network has unveiled its plans of expansion and introduction of technological innovations for a better audience engagement through futuristic interactive solutions on their leading English news channels, TIMES NOW and MIRROR NOW.
LAUNCH OF MIRROR NOW:
MIRROR NOW is positioned as a purely consumer channel that is committed to making lives better for the people by dealing with everyday issues of life, from crime and corruption to roads and traffic congestion and to grave issues like women’s safety.
Speaking on MIRROR NOW launch MK Anand said, “The transition and soft launch in the past 5 weeks with distribution getting corrected and optimised and FPC getting more and more in tune with what we wanted to do. The position was completely different we didn’t want another news Channel, as too many exist. We wanted a channel to have a specific position and relevance, consumer led”.
The Show URBAN DEBATE is what paved the way for this Channel’s re-positioning as MIRROR NOW aims to demand accountability from powers that can drive improvement.
Editor Faye D’Souza’s distinctive news reporting with the ability to simplify complex concepts with ease has made every news story impactful.
When asked as to what was the thought and idea for her to start this channel ?
Faye D’Souza’s said, It was organic. It came naturally from the time we did Urban Debate. I think we pay an atrocious amount as taxes. The money we pay as taxes is not coming back to us in terms of infrastructure, amenities etc. There is no accountability from anyone in the system and that really upsets me on a personal level. The middle class pays more than half its earnings in their life time on taxes and deserves to have a better quality of life and our fight is for that.
I believe we are all educated, intelligent and aware across the country but we have put up with this for no rhyme or reason, the Silent Scream is just not being voiced. Unfortunately nobody is talking about real issues, MIRROR NOW will be the voice for the citizen which will ask questions to the government/authorities on behalf of them”. added Faye
MIRROR NOW is currently at 3,65,000 viewers per week and promises to will soon reach the ideal average viewership per week required to stabilize a channel (4,50,000 – 5,00,000).
TIMES NOW Next Level with TIMES NOW HD:
To enhance the viewer experience as part of TIMES NOW Next Level initiative, Times Network recently launched TIMES NOW HD. With differentiated content, the network endeavours to provide its viewers with supreme quality of high definition television while maintaining their crystal clear clarity of thought and quality of news reporting that TIMES NOW has been known for over the years.
With close to 15 million followers on social media, the channel engages with its viewers by giving them up-to the minute news across all social media platforms. The TIMES NOW app also gives the viewers a chance to stay updated on major breaking stories while they are on the go.
Moreover, The elevation of Mr. Rahul Shivshankar as Editor-in-Chief is an effort by the channel to up the ante and scale greater heights.
3D VR Newsroom and Virtual studio:
TIMES NOW, with 3D VR newsroom and a virtual studio enhances the viewers’ experience. With a 360 degree view the network presents the future of news reporting with a cutting edge technology. Concepts like ‘Snapwrap’ and ‘Picture Book’ helps the viewers keep a track of all the news throughout the day at a glimpse with pictures onscreen. ‘News Day 360’ gets 5 critical developments on the two biggest stories of the channel whereas ‘Top 10’ gives 10 important highlights to the viewers while they are hooked on to the main story. From connecting with viewers on-air to online, TIMES NOW is changing the face of newsroom reporting.
tvnews4u spoke to MK Anand on these expansions, here is an excerpt of the interview.
The reason behind the Morning News Hour going Hindi?
It the channel’s initiative to reach out to newer audience. We want the non- users to come to us. It’s to attract viewers who have never sampled Times NOW.
We also realised that the morning news across English space was non-existent and the regional players were doing good. So this is to tap those audience and plow them to prime time by running promos of the Newshour and India Upfront thus making them to come back in the evening to Times Now.
Veteran news anchors Ms. Navika Kumar and Mr. Anand Narasimhan are equally contributing towards this aim.
Tie-up with Regional players?
The Times of India has a presence across India, so we do tap into their resources as and when and vice versa. We are also open to other associations.
Your opinion on the new entrant in English News Space..?
It a new channel that has been launched and its good for them and for us it’s a healthy competition that will drive us to do better!
Any Positive changes in the internal structure and functioning of Times Network?
Time Network has brought in phenomenal changes internally and the network is more integrated now in terms of better utilisation of our resources like people / equipment / ideas across all the three channels. It is making this network more vibrant now.
After two successful launches and various innovations, this is just the start for Times Network’s plan for a high octane, successful year!
