News Broadcasting
BBC Worldwide to pick up 25 % in TV production firm Left Bank
MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide will take a 25 per cent equity stake in the television production firm Left Bank Pictuers that is being set up by Andy Harries who was with ITV Productions. Harries is the majority stake holder and MD of Left Bank Pictures.
BBC Worldwide’s director of independents Helen Jackson will take a seat on the Left Bank Pictures board. The investment will also give BBC Worldwide a first-look distribution deal on all of Left Bank Pictures’ television productions.
Projects in development include a range of TV films and mini series for broadcasters both in the UK and worldwide and theatrical releases in conjunction with international film partners.
With a creative board made up of key players from across the film and television industries, Left Bank Pictures will exploit its board’s recognised strengths in quality drama, film and comedy while also looking to develop projects in arts and documentary films.
Harries says, “Our emphasis will be firmly on the top end of the market, focussing on intelligent scripts for the international market place,” says Harries, “which what makes BBC Worldwide the perfect fit for Left Bank Pictures.”
“BBC Worldwide is an impressive and influential organisation that provides Left Bank Pictures with the perfect platform to launch a range of projects for both domestic and international markets. Both Wayne Garvie and Helen Jackson share Left Bank Pictures’ sense of creativity and BBC Worldwide has the infrastructure to successfully launch Left Bank Pictures globally.
“I am confident that the creative board of Left Bank Pictures will inspire creativity within the company and envy throughout the industry. I am tremendously excited about the challenges ahead.”
BBC Worldwide director of content and production Wayne Garvie said, “Andy Harries is one of the greatest producers of his generation. BBC Worldwide is proud to be able to support him as he realises his dream and launches his own company. He has assembled a formidable team that I am confident will surpass their own proven track records.”
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.
