News Broadcasting
Ten Sports loses FA Cup rights to ESPN Star Sports
MUMBAI: Cricket and other sports may also be available on rival channels but when it comes to ‘A’ list soccer, it is now virtually the sole preserve of ESPN Star Sports.
ESS today announced it had successfully concluded an exclusive four year agreement with England’s governing body of football, The Football Association (The FA). Including the ‘English FA Cup’ ESPN STAR Sports now has rights to telecast English Premier League (EPL), UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup, Spanish Primera Liga making ESS the most comprehensive soccer network by a long way in India.
The four-year FA package covers exclusive broadcast rights to all FA Cup matches, the ‘FA Community Shield’, all Senior and Under-21 England team home matches from seasons 2004/5 to 2007/8 including all friendly matches, World Cup and European Championship qualifiers. The FA Cup is currently being telecast live on Ten Sports and will continue to be with the Dubai-based sports broadcaster till the finals on 22 May. Ten Sports has held the rights to Britain’s most prestigious soccer tournament for the last three years.
RC Venkateish managing director, ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd was quoted in a company release as saying, “Besides acquiring the best soccer properties available in the world, we are also making special efforts to popularize the game and the international soccer properties in India. In case of EPL we have already hosted special screenings for high-profile EPL matches, consumer contests, advertising and promotional campaigns and other innovations to increase league’s recognition. We have received great response on our ‘What’s your Gang?’ marketing campaign specially created for the English Premier League.”
ESS has been promoting football in a big way in India. In the year 2003 ESPN STAR Sports telecast two semi finals and finals of the ‘Chlor-mint IFA Shield’. It was the first instance in India when a Cable & Satellite broadcaster showcased live Indian football, 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.
