News Broadcasting
BBC’s ‘Next Big Thing’ global music contest announces finalists
MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC’s international search for the world’s best young band or solo artist is heading towards the finale with young musicians from Armenia, Brazil, Ghana, Malawi, UK and USA winning their way into the final.
The shortlisted finalists are Silva (Armenia), Sweet Cherry Fury (Brazil), Mishkini (Ghana), NiC (Nick Giannakis) (Malawi), The Skagz (UK), Stefan Abingdon (UK) MLK and the Dreamers (USA).
The seven finalists are expected to fly into the UK next week to perform at the BBC’s famous Maida Vale studios. The Next Big Thing is showcasing musicians who are 18 or under, compose original tracks and are unsigned. The shortlist was judged by a global panel of music industry names including critics, artists, record label pioneers and industry heavyweights.
The BBC initially planned to shortlist six finalists, but the global panel came up with seven names. The Next Big Thing producer Simon Pitts explains: “We had such a high standard of entries it was simply impossible to get it down to six.”
One of the panellists, British writer and broadcaster, Miranda Sawyer, described Silva and her song I Like as “unnervingly sophisticated”.
UK-based Gareth Simpson, who recently developed Oxjam – Oxfam’s most ambitious music event ever – said he liked the range of influences evident on Silva’s performance: “There’s an eastern feel fused with a contemporary R&B.”
Ilka Schlockermann, German-born and now UK-based musician, producer and publicist, described Mishkini’s 3 Eyez as “an interesting, mellow track” while Sergio Dias, the lead singer and founder of internationally-acclaimed Brazilian band Os Mutantes, liked the rhythm division of Mishkini’s melody which he described as “simple but hearty”.
The tracks can be heard at bbcworldservice.com/thenextbigthing. The Next Big Thing final will take place on 9 December 2006 in a special programme. Producer William Orbit (of Madonna, Robbie Williams and Sugababes fame) will be joined by world music legends Cathy Dennis, Angelique Kidjo, Rough Trade founder Geoff Travis (Antony & The Johnsons, The Strokes, The Smiths) and special guest Peter Gabriel in a live show to select the winner from six finalists.
The competition is part of a week of programmes from BBC World Service, Generation Next, which explores the real issues in the world according to under-18s.
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.
