News Broadcasting
AXN will weave fear, fright and magic next month
Action channel AXN is keeping the thrill seekers firmly in its sights. Ready to roll are three new series – Fear Factor, Scariest Places on Earth and David Blaine.
A thorough screening of all episodes on the three shows has been conducted to ensure and edit any objectionable scenes which may hurt viewer sensibilities.
Fear Factor premieres on 6 February at 9:00 PM People’s most primal fears are pushed to the limit in a game format. In each episode three women and three men must perform challenging and life threatening stunts demanding co-ordination of mind and body. If they complete their tasks, they advance. Succumbing to fear means elimination. The contestant who wins the final challenge takes home $50,000. Stunts could include jumping from one moving train to another, climbing from a moving boat to a helicopter.
Next in line is The Scariest Places on Earth premiering on Thursday Feb 7 at 9:00 PM The aim is to make viewers jump out of their seats with fright. Hosted by actress Linda Blair (of The Exorcist fame), the show dares brave families to spend an evening alone in legendary sites known for their hauntingly disturbing histories. One family will be challenged to stay the night at a creepy ancient monastery in Italy, where monks reportedly committed horrible deeds in the adjoining town. Another family will stay in New Orlean’s historic Magnolia Lane plantation believed to be haunted by ghosts from the American Civil War. Strategically placed cameras capture each family’s terrifying and very real experiences. The challenge is whether or not families have what it takes to last the night.
On 3, 10, 17 February at 9:00 pm magician David Blaine astounds people on the street with his own brand of magic. Blaine claims to be a master of the art of illusions. He uses the art of sorcery in street corners like injecting card tricks, coin feints or levitation stunts. A highlight is David Blaine – Frozen in Time on 17 Feb at 9 pm, when Blaine performs his death-defying encapsulation in a block of ice. Defying hypothermia and proving that mind is power over matter, he braves the paralyzing cold for three days.
Speaking on this senior marketing manager, Sony Entertainment Rohit Bhandari said: “This year is going to be an action-packed one where AXN viewers in India can expect something different and exciting every month. Fear Factor, David Blaine and Scariest Places on Earth have the right mix of action and adventure to continue our successful and popular programming formula, giving viewers in India, and region-wide, more opportunities to get the buzz from AXN.”
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.
