Thursday, November 09, 2006

Vir to quit EchTee?

Sorry, I've been so snowed in with work that I really haven't had the time to post anything here. Anyway, this little item of news has been doing the rounds for quite a while - but of late I get asked this question by the strangest people. My answer is that I have no freaking clue what Vir is doing. But why is this question doing the rounds so much?
Ever since Vir was bumped up in HT to Editorial Director there has been this constant rumour that he will leave. But then he headed EchTee's foray into Bombay, which was backed by the monies raised from the poor sods who bought HT Media stock and Kumar helping his aunt out a bit with lots of advertsing support. People who've seen EchTee Bombay would agree that it is a rather mediocre product, I won't call it bad - but business and entertainment coverage borders on the awfully unintelligent. And then there is the fact that Vir could not save Avirook from a maelstrom. We still don't know what exactly happened, but let us drop that.
Anyway, the earlier rumour was that EchTee and EyeTee would see a straight swap at the top - God took over the reins at EchTee House and Vir at F14/15. But EchTee just got a new Boss (and God is God-like as ever), for better or for worse. I still don't know what to make of the few bylined stories of CK - how is the trader in Karol Bagh worried about his shop being shut down care about the British Foreign Secy I do not know and even the lamest idiot will tell you that people have forgotten simple page layout skills - and crazy stories are being carried - the worst in the section run by my former bureau-mates - have you seen HT's Business Section - I hate to say it but Times' business section is possibly the best business section in a mainline - by a country mile or hundred.
Anyway, the latest rumour - and I must admit that this is fairly unconfirmed and comes from idle gossip at Dilli O'Dilli at the Habitat is that Vir is going Counterpoint and all to Times - where ToI will pay him not to be in HT. Since Bennett's new business model seems to be hiring journalists all over the place just to suck up the market - look at ET (where however competent journalists are rarely to be found) this would not be implausible. Pay Vir a huge amount of money (the rumours of Vir leaving 19-20 KG Marg stem from the fact that CK and RN have been brought in from abroad with gazillions of rupees every month, much more than the man and Vir doesn't get a SUV, which he wouldn't drive anyway).
Anyways, thats the rumour, now I'll go back into hiding for a few more days because I've got some amazingly insane deadlines to meet.

10 comments:

Shashikant Kore said...

I don't read Times, but I've found DNA's business section fairly comprehensive. How does Times (not ET) fare against DNA on business news front? But, then are you just referring to Delhi scene?

BTW, doesn't Vir hold any stake in HT Media?

Anonymous said...

whats the f-14/15 deal?

Anonymous said...

come to the valley and dont worry too much about the delhi papers.

Anonymous said...

I think Mediamamu has been either hacked, flagged, blocked, taken down or shut down on Sunday, November 12, 2006 after a series of exposes on the goings on at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai edition. It could even be a Times Group and HT combined move, since both these groups were being severely criticised and exposed. You can also contact MediaMamu at chaloohogayamamoo@gmail.com to find out what happened from MediaMamu himself/herself. Please spread the word.

Anonymous said...

It's 18-20 KG Marg not 19-20!

Spider42 said...

intersting... hadnt heard this one... will keep it in mind though... hmmm...

on a side note, personally i think Virs losing it... he seems to be running out of steam and HT on a whole (much as I was a big fan) seems now to be losing too much of itself...

well on the other hand i think media in general is losing a lot so i guess its not unique to them... whatever...

Cheers man...

Anonymous said...

Dude, why this sudden outburst against ET? Pray, reveal more.....!!!

K said...

Ummm, there are no sinister reasons for my tirade against ET - maybe the Prior Knowledge piece might have a teensy-weensy bit to do with it!

Anonymous said...

Guys for an intelligent discourse on Indian media, check out sacredmediacow.com

Anonymous said...

It is good that there is some babble on the Indian media on the blogosphere. Though it may not mean much to the "real world", at least it serves as a historical record of critique. Well done. Also check out www.subalterncinema.com/kishore, for a critique of Indian "cinemas".