News Broadcasting
CNBC’s international channel titled South Asia World
NEW DELHI: Publicly traded Television Eighteen’s proposed international channel is to be called South Asia World (SAW). It would be formally launched sometime in December, around the time when a Hindi business news channel too would debut.
According to broadcasting industry sources, the name SAW, which is undergoing test beaming at the moment, was coined, as the target audience would mostly comprise people of South Asian origin.
The proposed international channel will be uplinked from Delhi, while the uplinking base of the on-air business channel, CNBC TV18, would now be shifted to Mumbai.
The international channel’s programming and packaging, according to the sources, would be different as it would contain lot of entertainment-based news and some lifestyle shows too.
The channel would also have a fairly sizeable amount of news originating from the UK and the US, which would be done out of the New York studio, at present being readied. The name of the Hindi business news channel, however, hasn’t been decided yet as the chosen advertising agency, Lowe, is to get back to the company with a branding plan for the channel.
It has also not been decided what would be the modality for the involvement of CNBC Asia, the current partner of Television Eighteen Ltd.
“Television Eighteen is awaiting announcements of amendments to the uplinking norms for news channels that the government had said is being looked into,” an industry source says.
Earlier, the government had said that the information and broadcasting ministry is contemplating some changes in the uplink norms for news channel, which were likely to be completed by 31 October.
With two proposed channels from the Television Eighteen stable slated for a December launch, it’s action time for the company that has been registering steady growth. The company’s stock closed the day on the Bombay Stock Exchange at Rs 154.30, gaining 1.65 per cent.
The TV-18 group clocked revenues of Rs 169.42 million in the first quarter of FY 2005 ended 30 June 2004. The operating profit stood at Rs 86.37 million, while net profit recorded Rs 62.09 million (excluding forex gains/losses and deferred tax adjustment).
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.
