News Broadcasting
MIB orders central ministries, state governments to exit broadcast business
Mumbai: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has issued an advisory which asks any ministry/department of the central and state/UT governments and entities related to them to exit the broadcasting business by 31 December 2023.
If the ministries of the central government, state/UT governments, and entities related to them are already broadcasting their content, it must be done through Prasar Bharati, through appropriate agreements between Prasar Bharati and the concerned central, state, and union governments. The advisory will affect the Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh state governments, which operate in the content distribution space.
The advisory will mean the withdrawal of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh state governments from the content distribution space. The Tamil Nadu government owns and operates a cable distribution company called Arasu Cable TV while the Andhra Pradesh government runs the AP Fibernet service, which has a triple-play offering of IPTV, internet, and telephony. The Tamil Nadu government also operates an educational channel ‘Kalvi Tholaikkatchi’.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) had made recommendations on “issues relating to the entry of certain entities into broadcasting and distribution activities” dated 12 November 2008, 28 December 2012, and 22 January 2015. Its recommendations dated 28 December 2012 have been accepted by the MIB and the ministry of law and justice.
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.
