News Broadcasting
Court postpones hearing of InCableNet, ESPN dispute to Friday
Justice Patil of the Bombay High Court today posted for Friday the hearing of the contempt case filed by Hinduja Group MSO InCableNet against ESPN Software over increased subscription rates.
InCableNet had taken the matter to court after ESPN Star Sports switched off its signals on 5 January, 2002, saying the MSO had refused to sign on to the increased subscription package that went into effect from 1 January where the monthly tariff for the ESPN and Star Sports channels was pegged at Rs 24 from the earlier Rs 16.
InCableNet however says ESPN Software has not forwarded the contract after the sports broadcaster was sent a letter seeking details about the terms and conditions of the renewal.
And there the matter rests waiting for the final judgment which might well be on Friday.
PROTEST MARCH: The Maharashtra Cable Sena and the TV-satellite and Broadband Cell of the BJP have announced they will take out a protest march tomorrow to the ESPN Star sports office to protest against the recent subscription hike.
“The hike, made without any prior notice or negotiatons, is completely unwarranted and makes the services unaffordable to the common man and small cable operators,” Maharashtra Cable Sena president Ramakrishna Keny and BJP’s TV-satellite and Broadband Cell convenor Ashok Singh have been quoted as saying.
The hike from Rs 16 to Rs 24 per subscriber per month comes less than nine months after the last increase, Keny and Singh have said, pointing out that it is unaffordable for the consumers.
The Cable Sena has further called for a complete blackout of ESPN-Star Sports channels from Wednesday if the hike in charges is not withdrawn.
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.
