News Broadcasting
Consumer body sides with ESPN Star Sports in spat with cable ops
The Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI) has lambasted cable operators for “holding consumers to ransom” in the ongoing dispute between InCableNet and ESPN Software over increased subscription rates.
A press release issued today by Anand Patwardhan, chairman, CGSI, says feedback it has received from various consumers groups such as housing societies across the city indicate such bodies have “decided not to pay their monthly dues to the cable operators for depriving them of the exciting ESPN and STAR Sports channels, which is a very good way to protest.”
CGSI has exhorted consumers to initiate action against cable operators as the “operators continue to hold them at ransom for their personal gains. Non-payment of the fees for the month of Rs 24 during which these sports channels are blocked shall not prejudice or affect any action if initiated by the consumers / co-operative societies under the Consumer Protection Act.”
“The cable operators charge Rs 150 – 250 from the consumers and they do not have any legal right to block out the channels. By doing so they are stepping on the rights of their consumers, says CGSI.
The CGSI suggests the state government should devise a concrete action plan so that such situations could be prevented “because of massive under-declaration of subscribers, the state government is losing revenue worth crores (tens of millions) of rupees.”
The CGSI has taken up the following issues with the ministry of information & broadcasting and all the other appropriate authorities, the release says:
1. Most of the cable operators do not specify which channels they will show for the monthly subscription fee charged. The operators also do not give a receipt of monthly subscriptions they receive from consumers.
2. The cable operators have formed monopolies in all areas. The consumers do not have a choice to get the service from any other cable operator in case of any problems.
3. The cable operators do not specify and maintain the channels shown on prime bands and non-prime bands due to which a consumer has to keep searching for a particular channel and is often deprived of the same.
4. Adult movies and fashion channel containing offensive material are regularly shown by the cable operators. This practice is illegal, and is also affecting young minds, and disturbing the social fabric of our culture and traditions.
5. The right to information and education is a fundamental right and should not be left to be tampered as per the whims and fancies of a few monopolistic cable operators for their personal gains.
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.
