News Broadcasting
Jonathan Kingsbury to head BBC New Media’s external supply division
MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC has announced that Jonathan Kingsbury who is currently the head of editorial affairs, has been appointed to head the external supply division of BBC New Media.
The new role will champion the cause of external suppliers to the BBC’s New Media division. As part of his role, Kingsbury will encourage the BBC’s commissioning teams to use external as well as internal producers; ensure independent companies are properly represented within the BBC and that commissioners are aware of new suppliers; and also collate feedback on the process from the BBC and the industry.
His role will involve overseeing the Approved Suppliers List (ASL), which is to be the prime resource for new media commissioning in future. BBC New media and technology’s business and finance director Sharmila Nebhrajani said, “I am delighted Jonathan is taking this key role, which helps us continue to build on the relationship we have with the external market and to enrich the content and services on bbc.co.uk.”
Kingsbury says, “I am delighted to be taking on the role of championing external suppliers and, importantly, making it easier for them to work with the BBC. The BBC’s objective is to achieve a significant diversity of supply, based on commissioning principles of openness and meritocracy. This will help the BBC in its mission to deliver high-quality and ever more innovative services to our audiences, while at the same time benefiting the new media industry.”
The appointment is one of the steps the BBC is taking in order to create a better relationship with independent companies, as part of its plan to meet its self-imposed target of 25 per cent of online applications being supplied by external suppliers.
The BBC has been working towards improving its relationship with new media companies. It has increased the amount it spends on external new media commissions by 30 per cent, to ?8 million, it has also created a ?750,000 innovation fund for independents.
In addition to that, the BBC organised four supplier events in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. The events, which have been well-received by the independent community, were designed to communicate the BBC’s new media strategies to the industry.
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.
