Times Group has announced a major editorial reshuffle, elevating Navika Kumar to the role of Group Editor-in-Chief while appointing Zakka Jacob as Managing Editor of Times Now, marking a significant shift in leadership across its news network.

The move reflects a strategic realignment aimed at strengthening editorial leadership while balancing continuity with fresh operational oversight in an increasingly competitive, digital-first media landscape. The changes come at a time when legacy broadcasters are recalibrating their structures to stay agile and relevant.

Navika Kumar, one of the most recognisable faces of Times Now, will continue to anchor her prime-time show at 9 PM on weekdays even as she steps into a broader leadership role. With over three decades of experience in journalism, Kumar will now oversee editorial direction across the group, mentor newsroom teams, and spearhead new content initiatives, including a podcast vertical. She will remain based in Noida and report to Vineet Jain, Managing Director, and N. Subramanian, Group CEO of Times Group.

The internal communication highlighted her long-standing contribution, noting that she has played a key role in the growth of Times Now as well as the launch and rise of Times Now Navbharat. Over the years, she has led newsrooms through complex, high-stakes coverage while shaping a style of journalism that resonates widely with audiences.

As part of the restructuring, Zakka Jacob has been brought in to handle the day-to-day editorial operations of Times Now. He joins from CNN-News18, where he served as Managing Editor. Known for his strong newsroom leadership and editorial acumen, Jacob brings extensive experience in managing large teams and driving content strategy across platforms.

In his new role, all key newsroom functions including input, output, and production will report to him. Based in Noida, he will report to Ashish Sehgal, CEO – Times TV Network & Chief Growth Officer, Media & Entertainment. Over the course of his career, Jacob has also earned the Asian Television Award for Best Anchor twice, a rare distinction among Indian journalists.

The dual appointments underline Times Group’s intent to reinforce its editorial backbone while preparing for the evolving demands of a fast-changing media ecosystem, where scale, speed, and credibility remain critical differentiators.