According to sources in the Aroon Purie-controlled
TV Today Network, the parent organisation for Aaj Tak and English
sibling Headlines Today, preparations are underway to give the Hindi
news channel a new look, which
would include programming and on-air changes.
Though a date hasn't been fixed yet for the changes to be effected,
but the sources indicated it's likely to happen some time in September.
What are the changes that are being contemplated in Aaj Tak? Details
are being closely guarded, but news bytes filtering out of the organisation
indicate that news anchors, presenters, reporters and programming
line-up would all undergo changes to present a more upmarket look
and feel.
Without taking names, the sources hinted that Aaj Tak's brand positioning
(unlike that of, say, NDTV India) has been that it is a product
for the masses and which has yielded tremendous dividend. But it
is now increasingly
felt that the time has come to even tap the `class', apart from
the mass.
Keeping this basic theory in mind, the changes are being planned,
which may also include getting some hipper-looking news anchors
on to the channel and that may herald the arrival of new faces and
also return of some more old guards.
Meanwhile, Aaj Tak is also exploring furthering its ties with Sony
Entertainment TV's flagship channel, Sony, for marketing alliances,
which would include cross-promotions on some popular programmes
on both the channels.
For example, Aaj Tak's health programme, Subse Fit, has
featured some artistes from Sony's popular soap Saakshi and,
in return, Aaj Tak's pop-ups have appeared during the airing of
Saakshi.
Now, Aaj Tak is looking at ways how such initiatives could be taken
forward that may entail weaving in references to Subse Fit on Aaj
Tak in the storyline of other Sony serials like Jassi or
Aayushman.
It's action time at Aaj Tak because only the subse fit would corner
viewership and advertising revenue, even though NDTV India has been
constantly snapping at Aaj Tak's heels.
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