News Broadcasting
Mumbai hopefuls shortlisted for Everest Se Takkar
MUMBAI: Five amateur mountaineers have been shortlisted from over 350 enthusiasts who turned up for the elimination rounds of the National Geographic’s Everest Se Takkar in Mumbai over the weekend.
Culled after a rigorous evaluation exercise, which included running, obstacle races, river rafting as well as a written interview and a gruelling psychological grilling, the five will join 15 others, selected from three other cities, in Delhi on 1 March and proceed to the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi, before embarking on the rigorous trek to the Everest base camp, 20,000 feet above sea level.
The Rs 110 million initiative, being undertaken in coordination with the Indian Army, is the first time that is being captured on a TV camera from start to finish. The cameras were in attendance even during the initial eliminations, when participants were required to speak a few words on film, and when they ran their course through the physical tests at the naval base in Colaba in southern Mumbai on Sunday.
The weekly telecasts of the Everest Se Takkar will begin from next week. The Everest initiative is the first time that National Geographic Channel will create local programming that is focused specifically on the Indian viewer. The channel will shoot the entire selection and training procedure and the final trudge to Everest.
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.
