News Broadcasting
Disney’s ABC News Now to be available via Dish TV
MUMBAI: Disney-ABC Television Group’s ABC News Now channel will soon launch on Dish TV, the direct-to-home platform.
This is the first deal outside of United States that the Walt Disney Company’s Buena Vista International Television-Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP) has entered into.
The 24-hour ABC News Now channel is likely to launch on Dish TV later this year – subject to downlinking approval by the information and broadcasting ministry, according to an official statement.
ABC News Now is a 24/7 international news channel that provides live breaking news coverage, complete shows, exclusives, news specials, in-depth coverage and more. The channel also offers viewers exclusive uncut interviews from award-winning ABC news programming such as 20/20, Primetime and World News with Charles Gibson as well as insightful, original programs with the latest on health, money and Hollywood.
“We are delighted to have signed this agreement with Dish TV for the ABC News Now channel, and look forward to working closely with them to bring ABC’s first class news service to the Indian audience,” commented BVITV-AP senior vice president and managing director Steve Macallister. “India is a key strategic market for our company so this deal marks a particularly significant achievement.”
“This is a major step forward for ABC News Now,” said ABC News president David Westin. “As ABC News strives to reach news audiences anytime and anywhere around the globe, we are delighted that one of the largest English-speaking countries in the world should be our first step.”
“As technology rapidly evolves in the Indian media landscape, a new generation of consumer is embracing all it has to offer. With Dish TV, the Walt Disney Company would be able to provide top-of-the-class global news coverage to a savvy and discerning Indian audience,” said The Walt Disney Company India MD Rajat Jain.
“In the last year, Dish TV has emerged as one of the fastest growing digital platforms in Asia. Our association with ABC News Now is in line with our commitment to provide the best of infotainment, available in India or abroad, to our subscribers. We are sure that Dish TV subscribers would be happy to access ABC News Now in India shortly,” mentioned Dish TV business head Jawahar Goel.
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.
