News Broadcasting
CODA vows to oppose fresh pay channel rate hikes
MUMBAI: Get set for a fresh round of jousting between pay broadcasters and cable operators.
The Shiv Sena backed Cable Operators and Distributors Association (CODA), which claims to speak for the last mile operators in Mumbai, has vowed to resist any further hikes in pay channel rates.
A statement issued by CODA today pointed out that “there has been a compounded increase of over 1,000 per cent in the pay channel outflow over the past three to four years.”
The additional hikes in pay channel outflows, which became effective December 2003/ January 2004, works out to approximately Rs100 per subscriber per month, CODA has claimed in its statement.
Speaking to indiantelevision.com, CODA president and Shiv Sena Vibhag Pramukh Anil Parab said the fresh hikes works out to an increase of 58 per cent over the present rates and asserted that CODA would be opposing it tooth and nail.
The CODA statement indicates that the LMOs are expecting channel switch-offs by pay broadcasters over the issue and has appealed to the public “to co-operate one and all and resist any such unreasonable hikes in your monthly cable charges.”
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.
