Bennett University's Times School of Media Announces Exclusive Academic Partnership with Times Now in 2026

A landmark collaboration that bridges the gap between classroom learning and India's premier newsroom, giving students real-world journalism experience from day one. Bennett University’s Times School of Media has entered into an exclusive academic partnership with Times Now, India’s leading English news channel and flagship broadcast property of The Times Group, India’s largest and most diversified media conglomerate.

This landmark collaboration marks a defining moment in journalism education in the country, built on a singular promise: to give students not just a degree, but a career-ready edge through direct access to India’s most respected media ecosystem.

Students enrolled in Times School of Media programmes will benefit from a fully industry-integrated curriculum co-designed by editors, senior anchors, and broadcast leaders from Times Now. Backed by The Times Group, whose portfolio spans Times Now, Times Now Navbharat, ET Now, Radio Mirchi, Filmfare, Grazia, Good Homes, Times OOH, and many more iconic properties, this is not a guest lecture arrangement. It is a deep, structural academic partnership that shapes how journalism is taught, practised, and experienced at Bennett University.

For students of Times School of Media, this partnership fundamentally changes what a journalism and media education looks like. From the first semester, students are not working towards industry; they are working within it. Every classroom session is informed by what is actually happening in Indian newsrooms today; every project is evaluated against professional standards set by practising journalists.

Students graduate with a portfolio built inside a real newsroom, a professional network that includes senior editorial leaders, and the confidence that comes from having already done the job. They leave not as aspirants, but as practitioners, ready to contribute to any newsroom, production house, or digital media platform from day one.

Key highlights of this partnership include:

• A curriculum shaped by working journalists, not just academics, relevant, current, and industry-validated.

• Access to broadcast-grade TV studios on campus, replicating the environment of a live news channel.

• Internship opportunities across The Times Group ecosystem — Times Now, Radio Mirchi, Filmfare, Grazia, Good Homes, Times OOH, and more — provide real-world, cross-platform industry immersion.

• Mentorship and masterclasses from senior Times Now journalists and anchors build the professional relationships that define a media career.

• An assured career pathway within Times Group for top performers — turning academic excellence directly into professional opportunity.

Also See: Bennet University Admission

What This Partnership Means for Students?

• Industry-Powered Curriculum, Designed by Newsroom Leaders

The curriculum across all Times School of Media programmes has been developed in close collaboration with senior editorial and production teams at Times Now. Every module, project brief, and assessment is aligned with the demands of a modern Indian newsroom — ensuring students are not learning yesterday's journalism for tomorrow's media landscape.

• Advanced TV Studios — On Campus

Times School of Media at Bennett University features state-of-the-art television production studios on campus, replicating professional broadcast environments. Students train on industry-standard equipment, giving them hands-on production experience before they ever step into a real newsroom.

• Real Newsroom Learning —

The partnership facilitates structured newsroom learning opportunities at Times Now, including live studio exposure, editorial meetings, and coverage assignments. Students experience the rhythm of breaking news, editorial decision-making, and multi-platform storytelling firsthand.

• Internship & Industry Immersion with Times Network

Every student benefits from internship opportunities across the full breadth of The Times Group ecosystem — one of India’s largest and most diversified media conglomerates. Students are placed not only with Times Now and Times Now Navbharat, but also with Radio Mirchi, ET Now, Times OOH, Filmfare, Grazia, and Good Homes, among other marquee properties. This cross-platform exposure means students gain hands-on experience in broadcast journalism, radio production, outdoor media, entertainment publishing, and lifestyle content — building a versatile, multi-format skill set that sets them apart in any hiring room.

• Masterclasses by India's Leading Journalists

Regular masterclasses, workshops, and mentoring sessions are conducted by senior editors, anchors, and journalists from Times Now and Times Now Navbharat — giving students direct access to the people shaping the news agenda in India.

• Career Opportunities for Top Performers

Unlike most journalism programmes, Bennett University offers assured job opportunities within Times Group companies for top-performing graduates — creating a clear and direct pathway from classroom to career.

• Industry-Powered by Times Now

The programme is designed and delivered in direct collaboration with Times Network — giving students unparalleled access to one of India's leading news organisations. The curriculum includes live newsroom training, editorial masterclasses by senior journalists, and industry-led project work.

• AI-Integrated Journalism Curriculum

The programme incorporates AI tools and emerging technologies into journalism education, preparing students for modern digital newsrooms where AI-assisted content creation, analytics, and storytelling are becoming industry standard.

• Learn Directly from Leading Journalists

Regular masterclasses are conducted by senior Times Network editors and anchors, including industry leaders from Times Now and Times Now Navbharat — bringing the newsroom directly to the classroom.

• Practical Learning Focus — 60% Hands-On

The pedagogy is designed around practice. Approximately 60% of the programme is delivered through projects, fieldwork, newsroom simulations, video production, podcasts, and digital content creation — ensuring graduates are work-ready from their first day on the job.

Also Read: Bennet University Placement

Beyond The Classroom: The Times Group Advantage

Being part of Times School of Media means being part of The Times Group — and the privileges that come with that are unlike anything any other media school in India can offer. Students don’t just study the industry; they participate in it at the highest level, gaining exposure that most media professionals take years to access.

Front-Row Access to India’s Biggest Events

Times School of Media students actively participate in some of India’s most prestigious events organised by The Times Group. From the glam of Filmfare Awards and Miss India to the intellectual rigour of the Times Now Summit and Times Global Summit, students are on the ground, not as observers, but as working members of the media and production teams. This unique access gives students a professional pedigree that is impossible to replicate in a conventional classroom.

Times Group flagship events students participate in:

• Filmfare Awards — India’s most celebrated film awards, covering red carpets, backstage, and live broadcast production.

• Miss India — one of India’s most iconic pageants, offering an end-to-end media and content coverage experience.

• Times Now Summit & Times Global Summit — marquee policy and business conclaves, where students handle live journalism, social media, and digital reporting alongside seasoned professionals.

6–7 Flagship University Events Every Year — Run by Students, End to End

Times School of Media organises 6–7 flagship university events like Uphoria, Sportikon, Zenevia, Bluemoon, Aalekh every academic year — and students don’t just attend them, they own them. From conception to execution, students manage every dimension of these events: media coverage, public relations, social media strategy, sponsorship pitching, sales, and on-ground coordination. This is not a simulated exercise; it is live, high-stakes event management that mirrors the demands of the real media and communications industry.

Through these events, students gain hands-on experience in:

• End-to-end event media coverage — from inception through post-event reporting

• Public relations and media outreach

• Social media strategy, content creation, and live coverage

• Sponsorship pitch and brand partnership management

• Sales and revenue generation exposure

This 360-degree exposure — combining newsroom journalism, The Times Group’s premium event platforms, and live university event management — is what makes a Times School of Media graduate genuinely industry-ready across every dimension of the modern media business.

Leadership Perspective

At Bennett University, our vision has always been to build institutions where learning and industry are not parallel tracks but a single, integrated journey. Our partnership with Times Now is a direct expression of that philosophy. Students at Times School of Media are not preparing to enter the media industry — they are already part of it. They benefit from a curriculum shaped by the journalists who are making headlines today, studios that mirror the newsrooms they will work in tomorrow, and a direct career pathway within one of India’s most respected media groups. This is what future-ready education looks like, and we are proud to be setting that standard.

Dr Raj Singh, Vice Chancellor, Bennett University

Times Group has always believed that the future of quality journalism depends on how well we nurture the next generation of storytellers. Our collaboration with Times School of Media at Bennett University is a commitment to that belief. By embedding Times Now’s editorial expertise directly into the academic experience — through curriculum design, newsroom access, internships, and career pathways — we are ensuring that students do not just learn about journalism; they live it. The media industry needs talent that is sharp, adaptable, and digitally fluent. This partnership is how we build that talent from the ground up.

Mr Rohit Chaddha, President & COO, Times Group

Programmes Offered at Times School of Media, Bennet University

Times School of Media offers a comprehensive suite of programmes designed for the next generation of media professionals:

• B.A. (Mass Communication)

• B.A. (Film, TV & Web Series)

• B.A. (Film, TV & Web Series / Mass Comm.) Global (2+1) — University of Essex, UK

• M.A. (Mass Communication)

• PG Diploma in TV & Digital Journalism

Disclaimer: This article has been published as part of the marketing activity between Bennett University and Careers360.