Sunday, October 10, 2010

Layoffs at Aaj, Promotions at DawnNews, Hiring at PTV

Aaj TV is going through quite a shake-up after the news of Talat Hussain's notice to leave the struggling channel. This past Saturday, about half a dozen staffers - including senior staffers - were given their pink slips and sources indicate that a total of about two dozen people face the axe in the next few days. Actually, staffers are being asked to resign to immediately receive a two-month severance pay, failing which they would be terminated and face a delay in the clearance of their dues. Understandably, most have opted to resign.

The news of this downsizing seems to strengthen rumours that Hussain will, in fact, be leaving, since sources claim that many of those being laid off were considered close to Hussain. However, he may initially only be doing a show at DawnNews rather than coming in as head of the channel as originally speculated. Sources at DawnNews indicate that the management was not ready to meet Hussain's demands of his having fiscal control over the channel as well, something he enjoyed at Aaj. Meanwhile, in a related development, DawnNews has announced to its staff that present News head, Mubashir Zaidi, will now assume charge as Chief Editor for both News and Current Affairs.

In other news, Yousuf Baig Mirza, the erstwhile Managing Director of Geo and currently head of Dunya TV, has been re-appointed Managing Director of Pakistan Television (PTV), according to an APP report in Dawn. He replaces the former Ufone head Arshad Khan who himself was on his second stint as head of the state owned broadcaster. Recall that YBM, as he is known, was first appointed head of PTV by Nawaz Sharif during his second stint as prime minister. He was retained by General Musharraf after the 1999 coup. He has now been appointed by the PPP government. Is he the most dynamic media head ever or does he just have really good PR with everyone?

17 comments:

Raza said...

"When a media group refers to someone as 'Crazy', 'Hypocrite' and 'Coward' in the news headlines of its papers and further goes on to wildly exaggerate the dissent at his rally and label him 'anti-Islam' (all in the first three days of his launching his political party), you know there's some curious agenda at play."

Which is?

Anonymous said...

Well I don't like the Amanda ki Asha channel but if u go back to post nov 3 2007, mushi shut them down for almost 5 months. They lost a lot of money. Don't think n e more needs to b said.

Anonymous said...

5 months lost revenue should legitimise incitement for murder?
lol, come on! This is typical mir shakeel and co.

XYZ said...

Folks, you are writing comments in the wrong post. This post deals with developments in the media. Will transfer the current misposted comments.

Yusaf Khan said...

Isnt this YBM the same dude who was accused of sexual harassment?

Anonymous said...

I have a lot of good friends @ AAJ. This is sad. But equally I think DawnNews has been doing well since switching to Urdu and Talat can only boost it, he has a massive following.

Anonymous said...

And Yusaf Khan, this is the same YBM who married Aisha Sana- PTV Meena Bazaar Anchor.
And the same YBM who is a sleaze and a half! Yes I'm sure we're talking about the same guy.

Alpha Za said...

And so the merry go round begins.

Why does Talat want to take a step down and do a show when he was managing a channel? Is it just me or am I missing something?

Is aaj being fiscally responsible or are they just cleaning out the old order for a new appointment?

The Meek shall inherit the Earth, until then YBM (Your Booty is Mine) get to run things.

He must have fabulous PR. or has dirt on everyone.

Anonymous said...

ok i know this will sound gratuitously salacious, but i've heard this from pretty darn high up places so i'm just gonna blurt it out. feel free to delete this post if you think it's beyond the pale. but during his previous stay at ptv, ybm was known as a 'provider' of things mush liked. nufzed.

Anonymous said...

much cleansing and hiring in aaj being done on party basis. Out with jamat in with mqm is whats ringing in the corridors there.

Anonymous said...

hi pals has any one knows the salary of talat hussain in aaj tv and now in dawn news? please reply.thanks

Anonymous said...

yes alot of people would definitely want to know talat hussains salary and all the other big names in the media industry. pyala please do a piece on salaries, its about time

Anonymous said...

Talat hHUSSAIN DRAWING APPROX RS tWO MILLION approx fro AAJ TV

Anonymous said...

sure ?2 million ! kindly tell me what will he get from dawn tv?

Anonymous said...

Massive lay off in AAJ TV islamabad Bureau 17 persons 8 from news and current affairs and 9 from technical dept, now i think aaj tv switched back to entertainment

Anonymous said...

chutia managment decision by Islamabad and Karachi news and CA decision/input to Karachi managent by Gandoo Tariq Chudhray

Anonymous said...

has talat left daily express? i didnt find his artical on saturday .rauf kalasra left jang group and join express group .( i read this in pk politics web)