Arnab Goswami's new venture is called 'Republic' and it's launching on 26 January

With all its investors Indians, the news channel is expected to go live before UP polls

After a short break, noted television journalist and talk show host Arnab Goswami again turned the king of social media trends on Thursday, after he announced the launch of his 'new venture'. Reports suggest he has set up a news channel called 'Republic', which will go live before the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Speaking at the 10th anniversary of IEEMA ( Indian Electronic Equipment Manufacturer's Association), the apex body for the power equipment industry, Swamy said Republic will launch on 26 January, sources told Business Standard,

He also said that Republic will be a global media venture, 'parellel to the BBC and CNN."

On November 1, Goswami had resigned as the editor-in-chief of Times Now, and announced his plans to start a venture of his own. Rahul Shivshankar has since taken over as editor-in-chief of Times Now. Reports also suggest that Goswami's core team members also resigned from Times Now days after his resignation.

The News Minute quoted Goswami as saying: “My venture is called ‘Republic’; I seek the support of the people of India.” Quoting sources, The News Minute also reported that the venture would primarily be based in Mumbai and that a media owner based out of Bengaluru, a major TV distribution network and an influential advertising and media buying group, were part of the bouquet of investors backing Goswami. Contrary to speculation, all investors in 'Republic' are reported to be Indians. 

Just hours after Goswami announced the name of his venture, he was the top trend on social networking site Facebook and the third on Twitter. 

Arnab Goswami had shot to fame with his daily prime show 'The News Hour', through which he single-handedly brought Times Now to the fore of English News television in India. The show was the most watched news debate conducted in Goswami's unique style.

In his earlier statements, Goswami had hinted that he was interested in an ‘independent’ media venture. “Independent media is going to thrive,” Goswami had said while announcing his decision to resign from Times Now.