News Broadcasting
Critical Mention names CNBC’s Ron Insana to its board of directors
MUMBAI: Critical Mention, Inc., the web-based television search and monitoring service for corporate communications and business intelligence professionals, has named former CNBC anchor Ron Insana to its board of directors effective immediately.
Insana, who remains a regular contributor to CNBC, will also provide strategic direction and counsel in support of Critical Mention’s new ad-supported video syndication platform. This platform enables broadcasters and other content producers to monetise their content and extend their brand in the “long tail” of the internet by syndicating video clips to the thousands of vertical web sites looking for specific content of interest for their end users.
“I’m very excited about my involvement with Critical Mention and am especially bullish about the new video syndication service. The syndication service promises to revolutionise the way web sites search and publish timely and relevant rich media clips from respected broadcasters and content providers. More importantly, it will also give broadcasters new opportunities to reach and prove their value to wider audiences online,” said Insana.
Critical Mention founder and CEO Sean Morgan added, “We’re delighted to have Ron join the board. Ron’s reputation in the industry, willingness to challenge convention and understanding of our business model make him a great addition to the company.”
Insana joined CNBC in 1991. He was a regular contributor to NBC’s Today Show and The Nightly News with Brian Williams, as well as to Imus in the Morning and Market Wrap on sister network MSNBC, and other programs when market activity warranted. Additionally, Insana has written a monthly column for USA Today entitled “Talking Business with Ron Insana” and hosted the nationally syndicated radio program, The Ron Insana Show, for Westwood One.
He was also nominated for a News and Documentary Emmy Award as part of NBC’s coverage of 9/11, and in 1999, was named one of the top 100 business news journalists of the century by TJFR Group.
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.
