News Broadcasting
Graphico to redesign BBC’s broadband site
MUMBAI: BBC’s new media division in the UK has engaged design consultancy firm Graphico to redesign the site bbc.co.uk/broadband. The aim is to showcase the increasing amount of broadband audio-visual material available from the broadcaster.
The deal follows a competitive tender resulting in a short-list of five companies. The BBC chose Graphico because of its understanding of the broadband audience and its experience in the field. The BBC states that broadband is no longer an emerging platform. User take-up shows that broadband has already emerged and it is fast outstripping narrowband. The BBC wanted to develop a site that acknowledged the increasing maturity and sophistication of the medium, as well as showcasing the wealth of BBC content that is already available.
While the shortlist provided a very competitive field the BBC’s editorial, technical and business development team believe that Graphico were the best team on the day to partner us in helping to drive Broadband Britain. Graphico will reposition the BBC’s broadband site, moving it away from a ‘how to access broadband’, and towards highlighting to users the benefits of the broadband experience, as well as a showcasing BBC audio and video material for those with a high-speed connection.
To that end, the new site will include tabbed links to those content areas of bbc.co.uk with broadband material. Users will be able to search bbc.co.uk for broadband content by genre or channel, as well as by clips, video blogs and those pieces of material rated by users. The single broadband url will make it easier to promote all of our broadband services on-air. For the first time, material that is also available for mobile phones will be marked with a special symbol. In addition to BBC content, the site will link to external sites that the BBC considers to be editorially relevant, while third-party business partners will have access to a special extranet with improved access to BBC feeds, promotional material for editors and details about upcoming broadband commissions.
The extranet will also supply real time data on audience consumption of BBC broadband content, designed to help third parties better understand these users. Graphico account director Michelle Mitchell and her team will ensure that the new site is flexible enough to integrate seamlessly with the existing content infrastructure. The challenge for Graphico is to make sure that it will be able to create an interface which can deliver the enormous breadth and depth of BBC broadband-worthy content within a visually engaging and user-friendly environment. Graphico is expected to deliver the new-look site in May and the site should go live at the beginning of next month.
The BBC has also relaunched bbc.co.uk/mobile to provide mobile users with clearer navigation and an easy way to find BBC content available for mobile phones.
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.
