News Broadcasting
ESPN-Star Sports vs InCable: Cable TV MSO says it will answer in court
Cable TV MSO InCable says it does not want to indulge in a trial by media following the switching of the transmission of ESPN-Star Sports channels by ESPN Software.
“We will respond in court,” says an official from the Hinduja group corporate office. “We are, however, determined not to give in to the arm-twisting tactics of pay channels, especially ESPN-Star Sports. They think pay TV channels can browbeat the cable TV industry when they want and extract their pound of flesh when we ourselves cannot recover enough money from our franchisees. Well, they are mistaken. We will fight it out.”
The official says that InCable was shocked to receive a letter from ESPN Software on 31 December 2001 saying that since the MSO had not signed a new contract its decoders would be switched off from 1 January 2002. (Yes, the contract was from 31 December 2000 to 31 December 2002 and not up to June 2002 as reported by indiantelevision.com on 5 January.)
“We replied on 3 January that we would like ESPN Software to forward the contract detailing the terms and conditions of its renewal. We also told the broadcaster not to terminate the transmission service of ESPN-Star Sports in the public interest. They have not forwarded the contract as yet,” the official claims. “And on 5 January they switched off the channels.”
“Our communication to them affirms our willingness to renew terms with them,” says the official. “It is they who are stonewalling our moves.”
Sources indicate that ESPN-Star Sports was actually asking InCable to pay up for an increased subscriber base of 200,000 (as against 150,000 currently), apart from the higher subscription package of Rs 24 per sub.
The official says it would be better if pay channels realise the predicament cable TV MSOs are in as franchisees pay them Rs 30 for only 20 per cent of their real subscriber bases. “A gradual upward revision is what we are asking from pay channels until the addressable era becomes a reality,” the official declares.
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.
