News Broadcasting
Capita signs BBC contract for TV Licensing account
The BBC has announced that Capita has been formally appointed to deliver field and call centre operations for TV Licensing for the BBC. An official release states that the contract was signed on 8 February.
Capita is scheduled to take over the operation from Consignia in July 2002.
Speaking on this, head of revenue management Zarin Patel said: “We look forward to working in partnership with Capita to deliver the most effective TV Licensing system. The focus will be on examining opportunities to cut collection costs and increase licence fee revenue. Over the next few months the Capita team will get up to speed with the complexities of the TV Licensing operation. In the meantime its business as usual for TV Licensing.
Capita will draw on its proven strengths and experience of transitioning and transforming complex, large scale administration and customer service activities to ensure a smooth transfer and a successful route forward for delivering an effective service into the future. The AMV consortium is scheduled to begin TV Licensing marketing and communications activity in April 2002. Consignia (formerly the Post Office) will continue to deliver the contract until Capita takes over in July.
The release informs that the Capita Group is a leading provider of integrated professional support service solutions. Capita currently delivers a unique customer contact service operation for the BBC. In 1998 Capita was awarded a 5-year contract to set up and administer the BBC Information Service.
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.
