News Broadcasting
AT&T set to buy BellSouth for $67 billion
MUMBAI: In a move that would make it the telecommunication superpower of the US, AT&T Corporation will buy out BellSouth Corporation for $67 billion.
Apart from acquiring business of nearly 70 million local phone customers, the merger will also get AT&T the ownership of US cell phone major Cingular Wireless. As of now, Cingular is jointly owned by AT&T and BellSouth. The purchase would also help AT&T to fight Comcast and other cable television companies that are entering the telecom business.
AT&T is presently the largest phone company in the US, while BellSouth, which operates in a nine-state region in the Southeast, is third behind Verizon Communications. The dream combination of AT&T-BellSouth would have $130 billion in sales and serve residential customers in 22 states.
According to a New York Times report, under the terms of the deal, shareholders of BellSouth will receive 1.325 shares of AT&T common stock for each BellSouth common share. The new AT&T, which was formed in November when SB Communications Inc. completed its acquisition of AT&T Corp., also said it would repurchase at least $10 billion of its common shares over the next 22 months.
The AT&T-BellSouth combination will dominate its nearest competitor, Verizon. After SBC made its bid to AT&T last year, Verizon had rushed to buy the long-distance carrier MCI Inc.
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.
