News Broadcasting
Express buys out 10% of Mid-Day
MUMBAI: It is a deal that may have been struck at the right time. The Indian Express has bought 10 per cent equity in Mid-Day Multimedia Ltd for Rs 255.4 million, ahead of the launch of Hindustan Times in Mumbai.
The promoters of Mid-day ( through companies Ferari Investments and Trading and Meridian Holding and Leasing) on Thursday intimated the company that they have agreed to sell 4256628 shares of the company at a price of Rs 60 per share to The Indian Express. The post transaction holding of the promoters would be 53.6 per cent.
Earlier, the Times of India had shown interest in acquiring stake in Mid-Day which runs the popular city tabloid, but negotiations fell through over price. Subsequently, a group company of Bennett, Coleman and Co Ltd (publisher of the Times of India) picked up a 7.5 per cent equity stake in Mid-Day from the open market.
The recent transaction could set the ground for exploring areas of mutual co-operation as both Indian Express and Mid-Day face stiff threat from emerging competition. In a turf that has been dominated by the Times of India Group, there are other print publications planning entry. The buzz is that Zee in partnership with Dainik Bhaskar is eyeing a newspaper launch in Mumbai; so is The Hindu, if the rumours are to be believed.
Incidentally, The Indian Express is planning to raise an initial public offering (IPO) to meet its fund requirements.
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.
