News Broadcasting
Crest CEO AK Madhavan to continue as international business head
MUMBAI: Indian animation major Crest Communications has appointed AK Madhavan, formerly its international business head, as its chief executive officer, for its Indian operations.
This decision was taken by the board of directors in a meeting convened on 5 March. His appointment will commence with effect from 1 April 2004.
Speaking to indiantelevision.com, Madhavan said that he would be “handling both portfolios” for the near term, that is to say CEO as well as head of international business. He said that this was primarily due to the fact that the market he is handling is very niche, and hence it would take time for a person to understand the market thoroughly. Madhavan said this arrangement would continue until someone internally is trained to take charge of the post.
Crest Communications has gone through an internal restructuring as well, so as to formalise the whole set up in terms assigning reponsibles for various facets of the company.
Says Madhavan, “Earlier, there was no real organisational structure, and it was a very informal set-up. But looking at the growing complexity of corporate governance, one needs to look at a more organised set-up.”
Furthermore, he states that this was most integral at this point of time, as the company is moving towards a completely transparent set-up and building best practices wherein stringent standards would be put into place which would be a benchmark for the industry, more so considering the fact that the animation industry in India is still at a very nascent stage.
Crest Communications is one of the leaders in 3D animation in 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.
