News Broadcasting
BBC hopes for cachet with Pakistan through chat show
MUMBAI: BBC World is looking at increasing viewership in the Asian region through shows that build up intimate contact. Not too long ago, HardTalk’s Tim Sebastian had come down to India to be interviewed by prominent personalities. Now, the channel is looking at enticing neighbour Pakistan through its first ever weekly chat show focussed on the country Face To Face Pakistan.
Through the show, the channel aims at increasing the variety and breadth of its South Asian coverage. The show presented by Mahvesh Murad, launches today at 10 pm. It will run along the same lines as Face To Face India. An official release informs that the aim of the show is to capture Pakistani life in its different facets by interviewing celebrities from all walks of life, getting them to reveal the sides of their characters rarely exposed to public view.
Murad kicks off the series by meeting Ali Azmat, the front man of Pak pop band Junoon. The group has been hailed the biggest Pakistani crossover success in music since the late Qawwal Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Junoon is now considered to be Asia’s biggest band. Azmat talks about his life, his work and his vision for the future and tells why he both hates and loves the Pakistani people.
The programme is produced in Pakistan by Telebiz, one of the country’s top production houses which also runs production facilities in Dubai.
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.
