New Delhi : Times Network has named  Navika Kumar as the editor-in-chief of its soon-to-be launched Hindi News Channel, Times Now Navbharat HD.

In her new role, Kumar will lead the editorial mandate and play a pivotal role in the overall management of the channel besides continuing in her role as group editor, Times Network and hosting ‘The Newshour’ at 9 PM and the interview show ‘Frankly Speaking’ on TIMES NOW. She will also closely work with the business and leadership teams of the network to drive the channel’s growth strategy and work towards building Times Now Navbharat to become the leader in the Hindi News category.

Kumar is credited for investigating and breaking some high impact stories in the last two decades. "With her sharp journalistic acumen and extensive knowledge of current affairs, politics and business, Navika has played a key role in the success of the network’s flagship brand, TIMES NOW since its inception," said the broadcast network in a statement.

Times Network, MD and CEO, M K Anand said “Navika has been one of our key assets since the inception of TIMES NOW in 2005. In fact, the largest number of critical news breaks and stories that eventually went into taking TIMES NOW to the top in the English category in spite of our then late entry into that segment has been her work. In the last four years, she has morphed into a compelling and high impact Prime Time presence and made her mark in that highly competitive space becoming one of the most recognised faces on Indian News Prime Time. We are thrilled at the new launch and look forward to serving Hindi audiences with our unique Action orientated journalism and believe Navika Kumar is the best suited to lead Times Now Navbharat to eventual category domination.”

Commenting on her new role, Navika Kumar said, “I am really excited to take on this new mantle, which marks the Network’s debut in Indian language. I look forward to working with our robust team of ace journalists, technicians and crew, to build and nurture a distinctive brand of Hindi news. With a powerful and impactful narrative, I am confident that Times Now Navbharat will bring the much-needed paradigm shift in the Hindi news category and will set the course for superior news coverage.”