News Broadcasting
Essel Group says promoters are poised to clear promoters’ dues to Zee Telefilms
The Subhash Chandra-owned Essel Group issued a press release this evening announcing that its promoters and the promoters of Zee Telefilms Ltd (ZTL) are poised to clear the full dues of Rs 2,200 million that were owed by them to the latter. Last week, the release says, the promoters, led by Chandra, placed nine million shares with a foreign institutional investor (FII) which will help them finally clear all their dues to ZTL once the transaction is settled.
Hitherto, Rs 1,480 million of the amount had been returned by Chandra et al to ZTL, which means the current tranche is likely to have raised Rs 720 million and will free them of any liabilities. Rs 720 million for nine million shares works out to a price of Rs 80 per share for the FII, which is believed to be keen on entertainment and media stocks. This, at a time, when the share is trading above the Rs 100 level.
The press release quotes Essel Group corporate finance president A.C. Saha saying that “we are going to return the entire remaining dues to ZTL during the course of this week. Placement of these shares reestablishes that the promoters of the Essel Group will always stand by their commitment.”
The announcement clarifies speculation on the promoters’ sale that was running rife in the stockmarket on 4 January and posted on indiantelevision.com on 5 January’s Breaking News. (Read: Block shares sale clears promoters’ dues to Zee Telefilms?)
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.
