KOLKATA: Republic Media Network is set to expand its operation in Bengali language, marking its first regional foray. According to sources, the news network will also have a broadcast operation in the market along with its website.
The network has already started hiring journalists in West Bengal. It recently shared a post on its timeline for the same.
“We are the fastest growing news brand in the country. We will expand into various language markets either with linear or digital and in some markets both. There is a huge demand for Republic in West Bengal. Arnab and all of us in key management team are keenly evaluating and look forward to launching across markets starting with East,” Republic Media Network CEO Vikas Khanchandani said.”
However, he did not divulge any details on timeline of the launch.
The network also strengthened its online presence by launching a Hindi news portal in October this year.
Read more: Republic Media expands presence in online news space, launches in Hindi language
Earlier in a virtual fireside chat hosted by Indiantelevision.com, Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami said that the broadcaster will be operating in six languages, including its existing English and Hindi portfolio, by March 2021.
The expansion comes amid troubled times at the channel, which is embroiled in the high-profile TRP gaming scandal. Several employees and leaders in the upper echelons of the Republic have been called in for questioning by the police in connection to the case; several arrests were also made. Meanwhile, Goswami, essentially the face of the channel, also has his hands full with the abetment to suicide case filed against him by Maharashtra police. The newsman was arrested and remanded in judicial custody for 10 days, before being granted interim bail by the Supreme Court.
