News Broadcasting
CNN marketing initiative in India to mark 25 years
MUMBAI: As CNN, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc celebrates the network’s 25 years, it has announced the launch of an aggressive, multi-dimensional marketing campaign in India.
CNN’s 25 years’ promotion will primarily focus on the impact and influence of CNN on the world and world events and is targeted at the Network’s viewers, general public, businessmen, decision-makers and opinion leaders.
The campaign includes print, television, outdoor, Internet, in-flight commercials as well as an opportunity for consumers to win a host of prizes by participating in interactive contests that will be run through various platforms such as wireless/mobile, Internet, Crossword bookstores and Barista Coffee Shops, informs an official communiqué.
Turner International India Pvt. Ltd director for affiliate relations & marketing Miran Shah said, “CNN created the concept of 24/7 news and radically changed the way the world consumes news. The contestants can access the online contest through Contests2Win.com, Rediff.com and other trade websites.”
The Network will also have a CNN 25 Quiz delivered through SMS via mobile phones across the country. Mobile phone users, who respond with the correct answers to 8558, could win exclusive CNN merchandise.
CNN has also tied up with Crossword, a leading bookstore in the country, to place a CNN desk along with a laptop at select Crossword bookstores in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. Consumers visiting Crossword can get information on CNN from the desk as well as participate in an off-line contest.
In addition, Barista Coffee Shops will also display CNN tent-cards on each table that will enable the consumers to participate in the contest.
Along side the contests, special 25th anniversary television commercials will run on television channels, in cinemas as well as during air flights.
The winner of each contest will win exclusive CNN 25 merchandise and will be considered for the lucky draw to win the grand prize – an iPod.
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.
