News Broadcasting
Asianet charges Trai violation in Zee-Turner switch off
BANGALORE: Asianet Satellite Communications, the largest cable service provider in Kerala, has accused Zee-Turner of illegally switching off signals without giving prior notice, thereby violating the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (Trai) recently issued inter-connect regulations.
“We have got no notice from Zee-Turner. This is in violation of the Trai regulation,” says Asianet Satellite Communications senior vice-president Mahesh Kumar. For disconnection of services due to non payment of dues, broadcasters are required to give a month’s notice and advertise in at least two local newspapers. Broadcasters can also switch off services due to piracy of signals with a two-day notice, according to the regulation.
Zee-Turner chief executive officer Siddharth Jain, however, refutes such charges. “Since we have no agreement in place with Asianet, we are within regulatory norms to switch off signals to them with a three-day notice. We haven’t violated anything,” he says.
While Jain says Asianet owes Rs 30 million, the MSO (Multi System Operator) claims the outstanding amount is Rs 15 million. “There is erroneous billing. Besides, we have already paid Rs 40 lakh on 15 December. It is a normal outstanding amount, as in any business,” says Kumar. Asianet is the sister concern of Hathway promoted by Rajan Raheja.
Zee-Turner has also been asking for an increase in declaration of paid-subscribers from 1 January 2005, following the expiry of the annual contract. Besides, Zee, says Kumar, was insisting on taking the new bouquet comprising HBO, Pogo, Zee Biz, VH1 and the would-be launched CNBC-TV18 Hindi channel at a price of Rs 25 (maximum retail price is Rs 40). The standalone price for HBO is Rs 25 a month per subscriber.
“The old Zee-Turner bouquet alone would cost Rs 10 million a month. This will be unreasonable because we can’t charge our subscribers that high,” says Kumar.
ESPN Star Sports is still out of the Asianet network. “Our outgo to ESPN Star Sports for the one year period since 1 December 2003 is over Rs 100 million,” says Kumar.
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.
