News Broadcasting
Deccan Chronicle acquires 67 per cent in Asian Age, takes stake to 90 per cent
MUMBAI: Deccan Chronicle Holdings Ltd (DCHL) has acquired 67 per cent stake in Asian Age Holdings Ltd for Rs 171 million, scaling up its holdings in the daily newspaper to 90 per cent.
DCHL, which publishes the Deccan Chronicle newspaper, has bought out Zee Telefilms’ 15 per cent stake Asian Age Holdings. The other shareholders from which DCHL has acquired equity are MJ Akbar (26 per cent), United Breweries (23 per cent) and T Venkattram Reddy (3 per cent). Earlier DCHL had held 23 per cent in The Asian Age, a daily newspaper published simultaneously from New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and London.
The revenue and the brand ownership will be transferred to DCHL, with the Asian Age Brand expected to contribute Rs 750 million to Rs 1000 million to the top line by Fiscal 2007, the company informed BSE.
“The acquisition of Asian Age will transform DCHL into a National player with presence in the large advertising markets of Mumbai and Delhi in addition to presence in Kolkata, Bangalore and London,” says DCHL managing director T Vinayak Ravi Reddy.
Zee Telefilms had picked up 15 per cent stake in Asian Age Holdings in 2001. Currently, Zee is planning launch of a news daily in Mumbai with Dainik Bhaskar as the joint venture partner.
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.
