News Broadcasting
Bangalore corporation adds to cable ops’ woes
BANGALORE: The cup of woes overfloweth for the Bangalore cable operators and harassed viewers who are likely to miss out on the Asia cup if the Bangalore City Corporation (BCC) has its way. The corporation has given just three days to cable operators to remove illegal cables using street lights, after which they have threatened to chop them off and initiate strict action against the defaulters.
On the day the Karnataka chief minister N Dharam Singh gave some reprieve to the operators by asking the state government run power utility Bangalore Electric Supply Company (Bescom) to stop cutting cables, the BCC has had its shot at the cable operators.
Singh directed Bescom to carry out streetwise inspection of loose wires and to resort to cutting only after the operator fails to act within 20 days.
The cable operators associations in turn have asked all the operators to inspect and spruce up their connections. The cable operators have agreed to sit down and make any improvements implement safety measures over and above those prevalent in the industry if any are suggested by the authorities.
Unconfirmed industry sources say that some cable cutting had occurred yesterday, but, on a much lower scale as compared to the earlier phase when Bescom was indiscriminate in its “frenzy”.
Newspaper reports say Bescom has agreed to abide by a Bangalore city court ruling. Industry sources allege that Zee has even claimed damages from bescom. Zee representatives had not accompanied the delegates who met the chief minister yesterday, though Zee was one of the signatories to the memorandum submitted to Bescom on 14 July.
One of the positives of this sad happening is that for once all the cable operators and MSOs were united. We have a common platform now. This episode has also opened our eyes and is a step towards getting ourselves fully organized and committed to customer safety says Ponnacha, spokesman for the Karnataka State Cable TV Association. Laying of fibre optic cables is being considered across Karnataka, including villages, instead of the co-axial cables for all new connections is one of the first steps. This will ensure quality transmission and enhance safety for the end user. We are also planning to approach the government and financial institutions for assistance, Ponnacha says.
Regarding the BCC threat, Ponnacha said cable operators would like to sort out problems directly and that they are wiling to implement any changes and adopt any measures or changes suggested by the power utility company. We shall try and work out the modalities with them, he said, while leaving for a meeting with some cable operators, rather than confronting them with court orders etc.”
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.
