News Broadcasting
ESPN Star goes off China’s airwaves
MUMBAI: Pan Asian sports broadcaster ESPN Star Sports (ESS) has gone off the air in China after the authorities refused to renew their permits last week.
A report in Variety states that they were the only channels among a group of foreign networks not to be re-upped by China’s State Administration for Radio, Film and Television (Sarft). No reason was given for the refusal.
ESS was already restricted to broadcasting to hotels with three-star or higher ratings and to compounds for foreign nationals.
“ESPN Star Sports is still in the renewal process of its ‘landing rights’ and is actively working to conclude the arrangements,” the Variety report quoted an ESS spokesman as saying in a written statement.
Meanwhile Sarft will impose stricter restrictions over prime time TV series from next month. Sarft says that the country’s satellite TV stations should only screen ‘ethically inspiring TV series’ during prime time, which reflect the reality of China in a positive way.
The restriction will go into effect in February and last for at least eight months state reports.
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.
