News Broadcasting
DD looking at identity makeover; Piyush Pandey may be the man to do it
NEW DELHI: Taking a leaf out of private satellite broadcasters’ strategy book, India’s Prasar Bharati is contemplating hiring the services of a top notch advertising professional to primarily give the channels of Doordarshan a distinct look and identity.
According to sources in Doordarshan, a final decision has not yet been taken, but the name of Piyush Pandey, the head of WPP company O&M India, is top of the pops.
In recent times some private broadcasters too, have undertaken similar initiatives and unveiled new channel logos, looks, et al. This includes the Subhash Chandra-controlled Zee Telefilms as well.
Prasar Bharati Corporation, which oversees the functioning of pubcasters Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR), has recently taken several steps to be contemporary, even while remaining within the parameters of a public service broadcasting organisation.
Sources added that the issue of getting a top ad professional to advise Prasar Bharati on the channel look, identity and logo was discussed in one of the recent board meetings of the Corporation.
The rationale behind such a move, as and when it actually materialises, is to bring some life into the normally staid functioning of DD and AIR and something which will excite the viewers and listeners of DD and AIR.
Though DD’s reach as a terrestrial broadcaster far outstrips those of any private broadcaster – maybe all of them put together – the look and feel of DD channels, especially DD National and DD Metro, still seem to be stuck in the past.
But it must be said that with the arrival of Prasar Bharati chief executive KS Sarma and DD director-general SY Quraishi, things have started looking up. The DG, especially, takes great pride, like senior executives of any other private broadcaster, in highlighting the reach of DD and the advantage that this reach can give to advertisers.
Still, it must be said that in the past DD has experimented with advisors on various aspects of marketing and communication with little result. For example, sometime in the past film personalities Ketan and Deepa Mehta had been entrusted with the task of giving a new look to DD that went by and large unnoticed and proved to be ineffective too. Though the Mehtas went home with a fat cheque from DD.
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.
