News Broadcasting
CNN International appoints Abhijeet Dhar as head of advertising sales in India
MUMBAI: CNN International Commercial has appointed Abhijeet Dhar as head of advertising sales in India. He will strengthen the current sales structure and grow the ad Sales business with CNN’s cross platform offers across TV and Digital with unique branded content and sponsorship opportunities.
With immediate effect, Dhar will report to CNN’s head of advertising sales for South Asia Sonali Chatterjee and will be supported by the CNNI advertising sales teams in New Delhi and Mumbai.
“Abhijeet comes with a proven track record of leading local and international client relationships across digital platforms and TV. The growth potential of India has been reflected in the 82% year on year growth of CNN digital’s monthly reach* in the country and this is the right time to take CNNI Ad Sales to the next level. We are delighted to welcome Abhijeet to the team and firmly believe that with his wealth of experience, he will play an integral role in the India growth story,” said Chatterjee.
Dhar’s appointment is in alignment with CNN’s strong audience growth, launch of new products and platforms and audience targeting capabilities which opens new opportunities for clients to tap into local and global markets.
Prior to CNN International, he was with BBC Advertising as head of sales, India.
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.
