MUMBAI: Well known anchor on Headlines Today, Rahul Shivshankar, is packing his bags back to his favourite news channel - News X - with a mission in mind. From 4 September, he will be seen as managing editor with the channel and will be hosting the primetime show. Diptosh Majumdar, former National affairs editor with DNA, also joins the team in the same capacity.
Shivshankar has years of experience. He was associated with News X as editorial director for a year between February 2011 and 2012 and six years with Times Now before that. He was also one of the members of the core team that launched Headlines in 2003. "I am emotionally involved with News X and my plan is to consolidate and give the channel a new direction and focus, which I have successfully done for Headlines Today as well," says Shivshankar. He will be filling a vacant position.
Majumdar has been political affairs editor with CNN-IBN and editorial director with News X in 2010 after which he left for DNA and now he's back with News X. Recently, News X was acquired by India News. Financial constraints at the channel had led to Shivshankar leaving for Headlines but now since it seems stable he is back with it. One of the things Shivshankar plans to do is build the weekend news programming. This is one affinity to a channel!
Three months ago, Priya Sehgal joined them as political editor from India Today magazine.
When the whole industry seems to be laying people off, News X seems to be doing the opposite. More people are expected to join the channel in the coming months.