News Broadcasting
Maa TV plans to raise Rs 300 mn; to launch music channel
MUMBAI: Maa TV Network Ltd, which operates a telugu general entertainment channel, is in talks with a group of investors to raise Rs 300 million through preferential allotment of shares.
In the expanded equity, founder-promoter Murali Krishna Raju is willing to bring down his stake from 85 per cent to 50 per cent. The holding of the other promoters may reduce from 15 per cent to 7.5 per cent, a source close to the company says.
The company has plans to launch a music channel and also spruce up programming on Maa TV. “Talks are on with local investors and also TV9,” says the source. TV9 is a Telugu news channel, promoted by venture fund i-Labs Associated Fund and Chennai-based Unify Wealth Management.
Maa TV has been in search of funds for over a year and earlier talks with Sun Network for selling stake had failed. The channel is now banking on blockbusters to boost its ratings. “Part of the fund requirement is to make movie acquisitions. Investment will also be made towards serials,” the source says.
The channel plans to introduce soaps in its primetime line-up starting 2005 December.
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.
