News Broadcasting
MTV hits the road with ‘Hero Honda Roadies’
MUMBAI: Is it that the Indian audience is finally ready to embrace reality sports!
Few years back, a Zee venture RAAH did not manage to catch audiences’ eye, but the viewers have off late started taking interest in the reality shows on the English niche channels. While the mainstream Hindi entertainment channels are still wary of experimenting, the music channels seem to have jumped onto the bandwagon head on. Early this year, MTV launched Fear factor inspired Bum Mein Dum and now it will be launching Roadies.
The biker culture is decidedly a foreign concept, but India has its share of two-wheeler owner clubs too. So while there is the oldies ‘Bullet’ gang going on a cross-state rides, a new crop of the ‘foreign’ racers bikers are regular on the night road rage. MTV plans to tap the growing popularity of biking sports, with help from country’s leading bike manufactures Hero Honda, with the launch of The MTV and Hero Honda Roadies.
Capsuled in 26 episodes, MTV and Hero Honda Roadies, will show how seven ‘Roadies’ – four bovs and three girls – react to situations alien to them. After being selected via countrywide auditions, they will journey 40 days, 4,000 kms on four Indian premium sports bikes. Hero Honda’s newest launch ‘Karizma’ is the chosen sports bike to be used. MTV cameras will capture these seven Roadies as they eat, sleep and live life on the roads during their quest to discover the essence of India, says a company release.
Touring through villages, small towns and big cities, essentially travelling from the warm beaches of Chennai to the chilling heights of Chail, this reality adventure show seems like an ideal way of ‘Bharat Darshan’. But it is that and much more. With young adventurers from different walks of life, trying to cope up with their lives, alien situations and strangers.
While the televised version will be hitting the small screen in October, the hunt for seven-adrenaline junkies will begin next month. The actual trail meanwhile, will be flagged off on 15 August from Chennai
According to an official release, the participants, besides having a penchant for adventure need to be intelligent and articulate. The jury will look out for distinctive personalities and skills that set them apart. The channel has invited application from contestants above 18 years of age. The contestants will be put through various tests where they will need to use their wit, intelligence, common sense, presence of mind, humor, people skills and their resolve to stay on the course.
LEATHER AND LACE: All ready to burn some serious rubber, MTV India bossman Alex Kuruvilla (second from left) togs up in leather alongside Atul Sobti of Hero Honda and VJ Cyrus Sahukar. VJ Shenaz Treasurywala provides the babe quotient.
Auditions will be conducted in Pune on 8 July, in Bangalore on 12 July, in Chandigarh on 16 July, in Delhi on 19 July and lastly in Mumbai on 26 July. While the ‘toughest’ ride of their lives will be testing the limits of their endurance, the journey will educate them about the people and the country, help create bonds and teach them tolerance and acceptance. In case any of the contestants develop cold-feet, the option of leaving the journey is open at any point of time.
With the recent National Geographic’s Mission Everest getting a rousing response, this Amazing race inspired show sure sounds like a surefire hit, on ground even if not on air.
As for the big reward, well each of the seven ‘Roadies’ will win a 223cc Hero Honda ‘Karizma’ and that’s besides the opportunity to ‘star’ in the show.
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.
