Arnab Goswami, the face of 'prime-time' news and editor-in-chief of news channels Times Now and ET Now, has reportedly resigned. He reportedly announced his decision to resign at an editorial conference. Goswami was not seen on his prime time show The Newshour for the past couple of days.
Goswami started his career as a journalist with The Telegraph in 1994, before joining NDTV in 1995. He helped launch Times Now in 2006 and was at the helm of affairs.
Rumours are rife about the reasons for his resignation. The theories suggest that Goswami may be working on his independent venture or may have joined a rival news channel.
Times Now, however, is still showing teasers of The Newshours with Arnab with the words "ARNAB IS BACK", floating behind his silhouette. It is still uncertain who will fill his shoes.
Goswami was recently given "Y category" security after the Intelligence Bureau perceived a threat to his life from Pakistan-based terrorists groups. He was to get 24-hour protection from around 20 security personnel, including two personal security officers.
It is likely that November 1 will be the last time Goswami's 9pm Newshour debate will be aired on Times Now.
According to reports, Goswami made the announcement in a room full of Times Now employees in Mumbai with bureaus joining via video conferencing. The channel staff responded with stunned silence.
Goswami's prime-time show is primarily responsible for Times Now's consistent high ratings and his absence is likely to hurt the Times Group channel in a highly-competitive market.
Goswami had recently returned from a week-long vacation in Maldives.
Sources within the Times Group indicate that Goswami was holding meetings with an organisation to set up a new television and digital news venture for the past six months. It was also indicated that at least a handful of Times Now employees will move to the new project along with him. In Goswami's words, the new project will be a "formidable competition to BBC and CNN."