Channel7 to be renamed IBN-7; Aaj Tak's Ashutosh to head

MUMBAI: Global Broadcast News (GBN) and Jagran TV partnered Channel7 is to be rechristened. From 1 April onwards, the Hindi news channel will be called IBN-7.

The channel has also roped in Aaj Tak deputy executive producer Ashutosh as managing editor. One of the most experienced hands of Aaj Tak, Ashutosh is slated to join Channel7 within the next few weeks.

CNN-IBN editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai and Channel7 editorial head Ajit Sahi could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report. Sahi has already put in his papers, sources close to the developments aver.

According to information available with Indiantelevision.com, the editorial team of Channel7 (IBN-7) will see further restructuring in the coming days.

Last month, TV18's GBN and Jargan TV entered into an agreement of an equal joint venture. The process of the complete amalgamation of the venture is likely to be accomplished by June-July. Although the JTL chairman Mahendra Gupta leads the board of the JV, while the editorial, production, distribution and other operations of Channel7 rest with the TV18 Group.

Channel7, which launched in March 2005, is now part of the TV18 Group's bouquet of channels that include CNBC TV18, Awaaz and newly launched English language CNN IBN.

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