News Broadcasting
FCC restarts clock for News Corp-DirecTV review
WASHINGTON: The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) resumed its informal 180-day clock for reviewing News Corp Ltd’s plan to acquire control of US satellite television provider DirecTV, on Monday (17 November).
On 10 October, FCC had put its review on hold to seek additional information from News Corp and DirecTV’s parent Hughes Electronics Corp, as well as to conduct additional consultations with anti-trust enforcers at the US Justice Department.
News Corp had proposed acquiring for $6.6 billion a 34 per cent controlling stake in Hughes, giving it access to DirecTV’s distribution platform.
FCC Chairman Michael Powell had concerns about the deal that may require the companies to accept additional conditions to win the agency’s approval, a source familiar with the issue had said previously.
However, yesterday, Kenneth Ferree, the FCC official heading up the review, said in a letter to the companies, “The additional information sought has been submitted and we also have substantially completed our discussions with the Department of Justice.”
According to media reports, there are 30 days left on the review clock, which is not binding. Ferree has said in the past that he hopes to complete work on the deal by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, DirecTV has reported that it recently crossed the 12 million customer mark, a milestone reached after nine years in the business.
Another top satellite TV provider Dish Network stated that in its third quarter earnings it added about 285,000 net subscribers during the three-month period. Dish Network had approximately 9.085 million subscribers on September 30, the parent company EchoStar Communications Corp. said.
In October, the FCC had rejected a proposed $ 18.5 billion merger between EchoStar and Hughes.
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.
