News Broadcasting
Granada looks to tap opportunities in Asia
MUMBAI: Looking to increase the amount of business that comes from Asia, Granada International is the latest global format and content creators to open a new office in the region.Part of the UK’s ITV Worldwide, Granada has appointed James Ross to the role of Granada regional director Asia. The appointment was made by Granada Intl MD Naine Nohr. Before the appointment, Ross was at Bloomberg Television in Hong Kong as media marketing and distribution director. He will build a local presence for Granada International and ITV Worldwide throughout the Asia-Pacific region and exploring opportunities to further develop the business.
Nohr says, “The continuing importance of China and the Asian territories to our business has culminated in our decision to set up a regional office in Hong Kong. We are delighted to have secured James for this important role. With his background in the region, he is perfectly placed to build strategic partnerships and develop our new media sales business in Asia. Broadband and mobile phone penetration in the Far East are already the highest in the world and predicted to grow.
“We also have strong licensing and format activity in Asia and therefore needed someone with the breadth of skills and experience that James brings, including a solid global marketing background, to develop our business in the region.”
Ross says, “Granada International and ITV Worldwide, through its close relationship with ITV’s production teams in the UK and around the world and many top independent production companies, has some of the very best international programming available. I‘m looking forward to growing relationships with clients and partners throughout the region to offer this great content through a variety of different media.”
Granada International recently announced a number of sales to Asian broadcasters, including Hell’s Kitchen USA to Discovery India, The Asia Food Network, UBC Thailand, Orion Media Korea, and Solar in Phillippines.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
