News Broadcasting
DTH delay okay being linked to ‘concerns’ over Star’s radio venture
NEW DELHI: The proposed Tata-Star direct to home television service, it seems, is getting effected because of some other business ventures of Star in the country.
According to government sources, a senior representative from Tata Sons too, was conveyed similar messages as was hinted to Star Group CEO Michelle Gutherie when she called on I&B minister Jaipal Reddy and ministry officials recently.
The issue at the core of delay in giving permission to the Tata-Star venture is Star’s involvement with Radio City, a private FM radio station that operates in several cities. Sources said I&B ministry mandarins are still upset that Music Broadcast Pvt. Ltd (MBPL)-run Radio City was also a party to the court action over the licence fee issue.
Ishaat Hussain, finance director in Tata Sons, met up with I&B ministry representatives yesterday. Though he did not make any comments after the meeting, government officials did admit that the issue of DTH cropped up during discussions.
What is considered a more grave issue with the government, sources said, is MBPL’s “obstinacy” when the previous government had tried to probe the Radio City functioning on allegations that it was Star that really controlled the operation and not licence holder MBPL.
Though the Tata-Star proposed venture has got clearance from the home ministry and some other government agencies, the I&B ministry is sitting on the file, refusing to clear it, which would pave the way for a letter of intent to be given to the managers of the proposed DTH service.
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.
