News Broadcasting
Good chance to get in foreign technology in a stagnating sector: Kotak Mahindra’s Nandan Maluste
The decision to allow 26 per cent FDI in print media is a good opportunity to bring in foreign capital and foreign technology in a sector that has on the whole stagnated for a while in the country.
It is the middle rung of press firms which will however be looking at FDI and these are the ones that will benefit
Nandan Maluste
Senior Vice-President
Kotak Mahindra
However, the vast bulk of the Indian press will have to upgrade itself before it can be attractive enough for foreign investors. The attractive media groups are already well-capitalised and will not exactly be looking for foreign investment. There are a few firms in the middle rung, which will however be looking at FDI and these are the ones that will benefit.
In India, there are three categories of press firms – one, which are not trying to be commercial ventures, second which are out and out commercial, and the third, which is trying to strike a balance between the two. It is this third segment, which will garner the maximum FDI.
Since we already have allowed FDI in television and foreign magazines are already available freely in the country, 26 per cent FDI in newspapers is hardly going to corrupt our minds.
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.
