MUMBAI: Things are hotting up in the news channel wars. The Times of India Group, which plans to start beaming a business and news channel by the first half of next year, has picked NDTV's senior editor (Promos) Proshanto Das as its head of on-air promos from NDTV.     
Das will assume office as Times' head of on air promos this week. He has won several awards for his work and has earlier worked with TV18, and developed television software for most leading channels.
According to sources, Das will join in Mumbai as part of the content team for the business and news channel. The channel has not been named yet, and is part of the ambitious television initiative of Bennet Coleman and Company Limited.
According to the the Times of India Group president Arun Arora, "As the country's largest and most credible media group, we will naturally attract the best talent from the market. Our lineage in news and the history of the Times Group is probably the reason why the cream of the crop in the news broadcasting industry want to get on board."
In the next few weeks, some other top slots in the business and news channel are likely to be filled. But the group is extremely reluctant to give more details out.
"We want to create an extremely driven and young team for this channel. Some of the best professionals want to join us, which is itself a huge compliment," said Arnab Goswami, vice president - news and editor of the yet to be launched channel.