Mirror Now Shutting Down: Times Now May Retain A Few, Others To Lose Jobs
Mirror Now, the English-language news channel owned by The Times Group, will cease its operations in May 2025, reported The News Minute. The decision follows years of mounting financial losses, despite multiple efforts to reposition the channel in a competitive media abode.
Employees were informed of the closure during a town hall meeting last week, and the news has sent ripples of uncertainty through its workforce.
Launched initially in 2015 as MagicBricks Now, a niche channel focused on real estate news and updates in collaboration with the Indian real estate website MagicBricks, the network later rebranded in March 2017 to become Mirror Now.
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The new focus was on civic issues, governance, and urban affairs, aiming to fill a gap in the Indian news sphere for consumer-centric, socially relevant reporting.
Under the leadership of anchor Faye D’souza, Mirror Now became known for its bold coverage of topics like fuel price hikes and women’s safety, with some of her debates going viral on social media.
Despite this initial success, the channel struggled to maintain viewership and financial viability. The report indicates that constant changes in leadership and a shifting editorial direction proved detrimental to the channel’s long-term growth.
The decision to shut down follows a series of unsuccessful efforts to turn around the channel’s fortunes, including multiple changes in strategy and programming.
At the time of the announcement, Mirror Now employed over 130 people across its offices in Mumbai and Delhi.
However, report reveals that only a handful of employees will be absorbed into other verticals of the Times Network, which includes other channels like Times Now, ET Now, and Movies Now. The majority of the staff have been given a two-month notice period to seek alternative employment, according to The News Minute.
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Mirror Now’s programming included popular shows like India This Morning, which covered breaking stories and ongoing events, The News, a general news bulletin with live updates, and Speed News Now, which offered a rapid-fire summary of the latest news.
Reporter Live was another key show, providing an overview of the major headlines from the day and offering insights into what to expect in the news cycle ahead.
