News Broadcasting
‘Millionaire’ to end prime-time run in US 27 June
The Indian avatar of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Kaun Banega Crorepati, came, saw, conquered, and has gone into the history books as the show that redefined the dynamics of entertainment television in the country. KBC ended its run on Star Plus in January after providing the thrust that drove Star into pole position in the channel stakes.
Across the Atlantic, the US version of the Celador-licenced show is also set for its walk into the sunset. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire officially ends its just under three-year run on 27 June, ABC announced late on Monday.
To send it off, the network will reportedly air a 90-minute edition of the Regis Philbin-fronted gamer. After that, Millionaire will be revamped as an occasional series of specials, similar to how the programme debuted in 1999.
With the departure of Millionaire and NBC’s Weakest Link from this fall’s primetime schedules, the trend has now gone full circle: quiz-based game shows have once again been relegated to daytime, syndication and cable.
And that looks like a trend that is going to be replicated in India as well because the gameshow is increasingly looking to be a losing proposition.
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.
