News Broadcasting
CBS signs Ray Raymano for ninth and final season of sitcom
MUMBAI: The days of the sitcom are numbered. Friends and Fraiser recently said goodbye. However Viacom’s broadcaster CBS has managed to convince comic Ray Romano to return for yet another season of the comedy Everybody Loves Raymond. In India the show airs on Star World.
The ninth and final season will have 16 episodes instead of the usual 24. The future of the show had been in doubt because Romano and the shows creator Phil Rosenthal said that they did not have too many fresh ideas.
Of course Romano does not need to hang around simply because he earns only a few thousand. The current season sees him earn over $30 million.
The deal reflects the fact that CBS believes it needs the show to anchor Monday night. Reports indicate that three months ago Rosenthal and Romano realised that they had enough material for one more year. An AP report indicates that this week, broadcast networks announce their schedules for later in the year to advertisers. They will then decide to buy about $9 billion worth of commercials. CBS announces its schedule on Wednesday.
CBS’ recently launched show Two and a Half Men has done reasonably well in the ratings among 18-49 year olds. However it is not clear as to how much of its growing strength stems from its “Raymond” lead-in — and how much would remain once Ray Romano calls it a day.
On the show Brad Garett plays Ray Romano’s brother. There is a slim possibility that CBS might sign on Brad for a spin off once Everybody loves Raymond goes off air. It may be recalled that NBC has decided to do a Friends spinoff Joey with Matt LeBlanc.
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.
