News Broadcasting
FT-BS to have joint ad schemes as tie-up formalised
MUMBAI: It’s official and formal now. Business Standard will not only get to access Financial Times’ content, but can also rely on its marketing muscle to give its bottomlines a boost.
The Financial Times of London today announced that it has picked up 13.85 per cent of equity stake in Business Standard, a premier Indian business newspaper, for Rs. 140.1 million and did not rule out the possibility of increasing its shareholding in the future as business expanded.
In September last, FT had announced its intention to acquire a stake in BS consequent to the government relaxing foreign investment norms in the print medium.
Addressing a press conference here today, FT Group chairman Sir David Bell said, “Like us Business Standard is aiming at the top section of business readership. That audience is growing and it needs to understand global matters better. We will bring a unique global perspective to the table. One of the things that we would be initially be looking at working together is coming out with surveys for instance on the pharmaceutical industry.”
The press conference also indicates that formalities have been completed and the equity transfer has taken place along with the money transfer.
Bell went on to state that joint advertising packages would be developed for The Financial Times and Business Standard. “Some of our global clients are keen on reaching Indian readers,” he explained.
Elaborating on the delay in FT’s entry into India, Bell noted that rules took a long time to develop. “At the moment FT does not see the need to take more stake. As and when Business Standard’s profits start increasing, FT would look at either taking some profit in the form of dividend or investing further in our print industry. Our aim is to see the Business Standard be the top financial newspaper in the country,” he added.
With the Indian government allowing foreign media companies to invest in domestic media companies in 2002, announcement of the BS-FT tie-up was the first in this sector. Subsequently, Times of India group has announced a tie-up with the Asian Wall Street Journal and MJ Akbar-Venkat Ram Reddy combine have already started printing International Herald Tribune from here after registering the brand in India, which has resulted in a controversy.
From today, all editions of the Business Standard will carry one page of Financial Times content from Monday to Saturday. FT’s content will also appear on Business Standard’s website.
According to Financial Times In Asia editor and publisher John Ridding, “India is a very important market for FT. Growing our brand and business in India is the next step in the evolution of our Asia edition. What makes us unique is our global stance. We do not have a US agenda or a UK agenda. Reliability and objectivity are two key strengths that we offer vis-a-vis the stiff competition.”
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.
