News Broadcasting
Can CNBC India uplink through TV-18’s teleport?
NEW DELHI: Television Eighteen Ltd., the New Delhi-based 49 per cent joint venture partner in CNBC India, has sought government permission to explore whether its teleport facility can be used to do a point-to-point uplink of the business news channel from India.
“We have a teleport licence and have sought government guidance whether we can use the facility to uplink CNBC India from India in a point-to-point mode instead of doing so through Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL),” a senior executive of Television Eighteen Ltd told indiantelevision.com.
Seeking to distance itself from the Star News case, which is still pending with the government for necessary policy direction, the TV-18 executive added, “Our case is different from that of Star News as we already have a teleport licence and are seeking to link the India studio to the Singapore studio.”
In a letter that has gone to the government (read the information and broadcasting ministry), TV-18 Ltd has sought to clarify whether the teleport licence it has also covers point-to-point uplinking. A senior government official explained there is a bit of lack of clarity in the TV-18 issue and it is being “examined.”
Media observers, meanwhile, feel that linking the TV-18 issue with that of Star News is unfair. Whereas TV-18 Ltd is an Indian company listed on Indian stock exchanges with all the directors and promoters being Indian, the case of Star News Broadcasting involves a foreign company with three foreign directors (as pointed out by I&B minister Sushma Swaraj) on board seeking to dish out news and current affairs programming 24 hours for primarily Indian viewers.
At one stage, Star had also sounded out TV-18 Ltd for a possible association envisaging using the latter’s teleport licence and broadcasting facilities in India to carry out the news gathering business for Star News post March 31, 2003 when Star takes full control of Star News.
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.
