Times Now was news TV’s third front on Decision Day. You never thought it would turn out the best performance. But you never thought it would be quite as bad as it turned out to be. Two or three of Times Now panelists deserve some sympathy. They, when allowed, made intelligent interventions. But they were like the seats CPM won in Bengal — you had to really concentrate your mind to spot them and they couldn’t change the overall story one bit.

My expectations of news TV are pegged low. The reason Times Now comfortably breached that on Saturday was assiduously amateurish anchoring. Just one small example: Ashwani Kumar of the Congress was asked four times whose support the Congress would take to make up the small distance to 272 — Kumar said four times he can’t say because he isn’t privy to the discussion. If I am not mistaken this was Times Now’s first general election coverage. They have plenty to do before 2014 comes along.

This was CNN-IBN’s first general election coverage as well. CNN-IBN and NDTV were better than Times Now. Between CNN-IBN and NDTV?

Before I come to that however I would humbly suggest to our main political parties that they upgrade the quality of their TV spokesmanship. Abhisekh Manu Singhvi for the Congress and Arun Jaitley for the BJP are always and obvious safe bets; they find it pretty much impossible to not say something intelligent.

But others from the Congress and the BJP should definitely prep better. The BJP’s Nalin Kohli proves that articulation and cheerful countenance are not enough for this job. Ashwani Kumar (Congress) is too pedantic.

... contd.