News Broadcasting
Indirect benefits to entertainment industry: B4U
MUMBAI: B4U India operations vice president Vijay Thaker feels that the budget is a fair mix of reforms and procedural changes.
Thaker says: “The budget will get a good response from individuals and the middle class. The point to note is that the relief given by the government from direct taxes (roughly around Rs 30 billion) has been compensated by the increase from the indirect taxes. We have not gone so far in detailed proposals of Budget.”
Thacker says that the initial reaction after hearing the speech of finance minister is favourable and the views are as under:
1)This budget will increase the spending power of middle class due to savings in direct taxes and other reliefs. Part of such spending may be utilised for entertainment industry. People may agree to buy set top boxes without much follow up from cable operators.
2) Service tax in general has gone up from five per cent to eight per cent. Advertising agencies and cable operators will make a big hue and cry for such increments. But it will get settled as this is general norm for all industries.
3) Benefits to domestic satellite companies has been extended for one year. This may help the local satellite and telecom companies.
4) There is excise exemption in prerecorded audio CDs. This will help audio companies to boost their sales by competing with unorganised small companies. In turn, advertisements to TV music channels may increase from music companies.
5) There is no direct proposal for entertainment industry.
6) FDI (foreign direct investment), ECB (external commercial borrowings) changes will help corporate sectors. This will help Indian companies which have a presence in other parts of the world.
7) Reduction in customs duty will help entertainment Industry also. Due to the benefits given to the IT and telecom sector, it is possible that the cost of set top boxes will come down eventually.
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.
