News Broadcasting
Murdoch gets support from Saudi prince lifting News Corp voting stake
MUMBAI: Media moghul Rupert Murdoch was given a boost in his battle to retain control over his media empire after a long-time supporter billionaire Saudi prince Alwaleed bin Talal increased his voting stake in News Corp.
Media reports indicate that Talal has bought a 5.46 per cent voting stake in News Corp after selling the three per cent non-voting stake previously held by his investment company Kingdom. News Corp is said to be looking to protect itself against a possible takeover bid from Liberty Media. John Malone’s conglomerate has already increased its stake in News Corp. to 18 per cent. This prompted Murdoch to implement a poison pill provision.
According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission the Prince beneficially owns 56.2 million News Corp. Class B common shares. The prince has said that he acquired the Class B common stock for investment and currently supports the efforts of the board and management and expects to vote his Class B shares in support of Murdoch.
In the filing the Prince has stated that he will buy more voting shares if the situation warrants it. The Murdoch family own close to 30 per cent of News Corp’s voting stock Meanwhile Murdoch has summoned his most senior executives for the second summit in seven months on News Corp’s internet strategy. The broadcasting and publishing group’s executive committee will gather this weekend near Murdoch’s ranch in California.
Murdoch spent $580 million on buying Intermix, which operates social networking site My-Space.com, and bought Scout Media, a sports website company.
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.
