News Broadcasting
DD Sahyadri rakes in Rs 250 m in FY04
MUMBAI: DD Sahyadri continues to be the cash cow among the pubcaster’s regional horde.
The Marathi channel from the Doordarshan fold has earned revenues of Rs 250 million in the fiscal just ended, up Rs 50 million from FY 2002-2003. While the channel, which zoomed to the top of the heap among Marathi channels even among satellite channels two years ago, has had to face stiff competition in the last fiscal.
More than 50 per cent of the Top 60 programmes watched by Maharashtrian households even in C&S households belonged to Sahyadri till the beginning of 2003. The scenario has changed since then and Sahyadri has decided to react accordingly.
Not surprisingly, the channel has decided to change tack. Instead of focusing on soaps, which are a big draw on rival satellite channels like Alpha Marathi and ETV Marathi, Sahyadri will now concentrate on the genres that have been its strengths. Beginning 4 April 2004, Sahyadri along with other regional DD channels, has a different FPC, due to the change in the timings of the satellite feed supported terrestrially, which will now be from 3 to 8 pm daily.
This, says station director Mukesh Sharma, will allow the channel more reach during 3 and 8 pm as well as lessen the confusion in the minds of advertisers. Earlier, the daily FPC varied, with Sahyadri having to cut the local feed at different times to accommodate the national feed with shows like Chitrahaar and Rangoli.
The year ahead, says Sharma, will see Sahyadri having live interactive phone -in shows like Hello Sakhi shifting to the prime time slot of 8 – 9 pm five days a week, instead of the afternoon slot it occupied earlier. The live debates on Ghatnachakra will occupy pride of place in the Saturday line-up. Also in the Sahyadri kitty is the annual Navratna Awards which honour excellence in various fields and have been a big source of revenue as well as ratings for the channel.
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.
