Senior television journalist and prime-time anchor Rubika Liyaquat has left Times Now Navbharat, barely three months after joining the channel. She had joined as senior executive editor — TNNB and vice-president, special projects, and had taken charge of one of its prominent prime-time programmes, 'News Ki Pathshala'.
Her exit brings an early end to a stint that was expected to be a long one at the Hindi news channel. The reason for her departure has not been stated, and her next move is yet to be announced.
What Rubika Liyaquat's Exit Means for Times Now Navbharat
Liyaquat joined Times Now Navbharat in June. Within three months, she was anchoring a flagship prime-time show, which made her one of the visible faces of the channel's evening lineup. Her recent prime-time shows frequently foregrounded Modi government initiatives and presented the prime minister's political and diplomatic positions favourably.
A prime-time anchor leaving this quickly is unusual in the Hindi news space. Channels build their evening viewership around familiar faces, and a change at the top of the lineup usually signals a shift in editorial direction or internal differences. Neither the channel nor Liyaquat has publicly explained the reasons behind the exit.
A Career Built Across Hindi News Networks
Liyaquat's departure follows a nearly two-decade career across major Hindi news networks. She has been a familiar name in Hindi prime-time television, known for her anchoring style and political coverage. Her move to Times Now Navbharat was seen as a significant signing for the channel when it happened in June.
- She joined Times Now Navbharat in June as senior executive editor and vice-president, special projects
- She anchored the prime-time programme 'News Ki Pathshala'
- Her stint at the channel lasted barely three months
- Her next move has not been announced yet
Our Take: A Short Stint That Raises Questions
To put it plainly, three months is too short a time for any senior journalist to settle into a new channel, let alone build a prime-time show. When someone of Liyaquat's experience leaves that fast, it usually points to something more than a routine career move. The silence from both sides makes the exit more notable.
In our view, this is also a reminder of how unstable prime-time television has become in India. Big names are hired with fanfare, given flagship slots, and then they are gone before viewers get used to seeing them. For the audience, this means less consistency in the shows they follow. For the channels, it means constant rebuilding of their evening lineup.
What readers should watch next is where Liyaquat lands. Her next move will say a lot about whether this was a personal decision or a sign of deeper churn in the Hindi news industry. Until then, the only clear fact is this: one of the most recognised faces in Hindi prime-time has walked out of Times Now Navbharat in just three months.
