News Broadcasting
Break free of the idiot box during ‘TV turnoff week’
MUMBAI:Turn off TV and turn on life! The 10th edition of the TV Turn off week 2004, with strong support from the public and leading health groups, started on Monday 19 April in the US.
Founded in 1994, the TV-Turnoff Network has spent the past decade spreading the message that, by switching off the idiot box people are able to lead healthier lives because then they would interact with friends and family more. It advises people to take a seven day break from TV and reclaim time to talk, play, read, exercise, dream and live life.
Research made by the network in US shows that Americans spend a minimum of seven hours per day in front of the television. It also shows that around 54 per cent of American children have a TV in their bedrooms. The network presses on the fact that television cuts into family time, harms children’s ability to read and succeed in school and contributes to unhealthy lifestyles and obesity.
With “millions of people having been fed up with indecency on the airwaves”, the organisation expects a greater support of the public this year.
More than seven million including children and adults, and 80 organisations are expected to participate over 17,500turnoffs around the world. The network is supported by various US organisations including the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Education Association, and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, claims the organisation.
The organisation adds that more than 24 million people have participated in the TV-Turnoff Week since 1995 and more than 30,000 US students have benefitted from the programme.
According to the Washington D.C based non profit TV Turnoff Network, last year around 7.04 million people including kids and adults pulled the plug and turned off TV during the TV turnoff week
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.
