News Broadcasting
Centre awaits response on CAS, mulls ad regulation on pay channels
NEW DELHI: The government today admitted that from the time implementation of conditional access system (CAS) was deferred in the three metros of Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi, not much work has been done by the state governments in this regard.
The federal government of India was still awaiting response from most state governments on setting up of state level implementation committees for CAS.
While the state governments of the four metros had been requested by the Centre to ensure fullest cooperation for smooth CAS implementation, only the West Bengal government had recently constituted a state level committee.
This was stated in the Lok Sabha (Lower House) in a written reply by information and broadcasting minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
On whether there were possibilities of CAS being rolled out in some cities, the minister said as per the Cable TV (Networks) Regulation Act, 1995 the centre may make it obligatory for every cable operator to transmit or retransmit programmes of any channel through an addressable system from the date specified in the notification and from different dates as may be specified for different states, cities and towns.
Prasad also stated that the matter of regulating advertisement on pay channels was under “consideration”. He was, however, quick to add that the matter did not fall within the purview of the CATV Act.
On the programming front and the rules and regulations, the I&B minister said that notices had been sent to several channels to take off serials and programmes on the grounds that they did not conform to the programming code.
The programmes/serials which were asked to be taken off air or the channels that were asked not to air a particular episode include Temptation Island (a reality show on Star World) and serials Kavita, Kyunki Saas and Ram Khilawan CM. Some horror serials like Sssshh Koi Hai were asked to telecast after 10 pm, the minister said.
The decisions, Prasad said, had been taken after an inter-ministerial committee made certain recommendations.
An advisory was also sent to the Indian Broadcasting Foundation to direct its member channels to strictly adhere to the provisions of the programming code. “This is a continuous process. No repetitions of violations have been reported,” the minister stated.
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.
