News Broadcasting
Fifa signs deal for official World Cup melody
MUMBAI: Music publisher and online publishing administrator Kobalt Music Group has been signed up by footballs’ governing body Fifa to be the exclusive worldwide licensor and administrator for the Official Melody of the 2006 Fifa World Cup.
Written by Nadir Khayat aka Red One and Bilal Hajji, the 30-second melody, a sample from the Red One song Bamboo will also be incorporated into several other songs.
These include the official single of the event and other pieces of music to be used extensively throughout the championships, including the song Hips Don’t Lie – Bamboo which has been performed by Shakira.
In addition, dance, hip-hop, house and Bamboo mixes will also be sold as ringtones. Kobalt founder and CEO Willard Ahdritz says, “Kobalt is exploiting the content on a global basis through digital distribution partners on five continents. With an audience of more than a billion people and extensive promotion, the potential exposure and consumer base for the Official Melody is extraordinary.
“We are thrilled to be the administrator for Fifa to market, license and collect for both the publishing and master rights in what could be the biggest digital event ever.”
The World Cup takes place from 9 June-9 July in Germany. The Official Melody of the event will receive extensive exposure during all World Cup events, including cross-promotion and in sponsor ad spots from such advertisers as Adidas, Avaya, Budweiser, Coke, Continental, Deutsche Telekom, Emirates, Fujifilm, Gillette, Hyundai, Mastercard, McDonald’s, Phillips, Toshiba and Yahoo.
Through the deal, Kobalt is working with Fifa’s concept developer, Engine AB an MTG company, which is Fifa’s exclusive agent for the creation and supervision of the overall music program for the 2006 Fifa World Cup.
Kobalt is a global, independent music publisher offering administrative and creative services to writers, publishers and other publishing rights holders. Kobalt’s technology enables clients to receive faster delivery of revenues and information in a transparent and efficient manner.
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.
