News Broadcasting
Hallmark Channel signs carriage agreement with Telewest Broadband
MUMBAI: Hallmark Channel on Thursday signed a carriage agreement with Telewest Broadband, the broadband communications and media group, securing its place across all major digital platforms in the UK.
The long-term carriage deal will enable an additional 500,000 UK viewers to see Hallmark as part of Telewest Broadband’s “essential plus” package. The combined channels will now reach over 7 million digital subscribers, according to an official release.
Hallmark will launch on Telewest Broadband on 2 September on Channel 190. The chaAccording to Hallmark Channel (UK) Chief Executive Jeff Henry: “The completion of this agreement with Telewest Broadband means we’ve reached our goal of maximum distribution.”nnel has so far been available on ntl: home and Sky Digital, says the release.
Hallmark UK channel launched in May 2000 on Sky Digital, securing carriage with ntl:home in November 2001. In the past year Hallmark has seen its audience share increase by more than 140% year on year, claims the channel. Telewest Communications currently passes 4.9 million homes and provides multi-channel television, telephone and Internet services to around 1.8 million UK households, and voice and data telecommunications services to around 74, 300 business customers, the release says.
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.
