News Broadcasting
Max and Aaj Tak in special tie-up for Videocon Cup
MUMBAI: The scene is abuzz with the cricket fever building up as the Videocon Cup rolls out on 21 August. Maxing on the opportunity, Sony Entertainment’s movies and special events channel Max (which will air the tournament) has entered a strategic alliance with Aaj Tak for the same.
As per the deal, during the four days of the tournament which will be played in Holland, Aaj Tak will have a special section on their cricket based show – Runbhoomi which will air at 1 pm; wherein Max’s commentators like Charu Sharma, Mandira Bedi, Arun Lal, Barry Richards, Rameez Raja, Michael Slater and Sanjay Manjrekar will come on the show in an exclusive interview with the Aaj Tak anchor. On Aaj Tak the special guests on Runbhoomi will include Sourav Ganguly, Arun Lal, Saba Karim, Yashpal Sharma and Madan Lal. When the show will be towards completion (i.e. 1:30 pm, which is also the time the matches start on Max); the Aaj Tak anchor will ask viewers to log on to Max to catch the match live.
Speaking about the same, Max vice-president marketing and commercial Tushar Shah said, “This marks the beginning of a new era in marketing in the television domain. Max is known for innovation, creativity and attitude, and this tie-up is an example of all three are coming together to create a win-win situation for both Aaj Tak and Max.”
Also notable is the fact that some time back, Aaj Tak had tied up with sister channel SET for their show Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahi wherein Jassi gave an exclusive interview to Aaj Tak and also for Saaksshi wherein during a scene in the serial, an Aaj Tak reporter was shown and also the protagonist of the show was shown watching some ‘breaking news’ on Aaj Tak. So while SET already had a working relationship with the Aroon Purie owned news channel, this tie up with Max for the Videocon Cup doesn’t come as much of a surprise.
Speaking on the same, Aaj Tak senior manager marketing Rajesh Sheshadri said, “Cricket rules the hearts of millions of Indians. This association is in line with our objective of providing value-added programming to our viewers.”
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.
