News Broadcasting
Must share: Prasar Bharati eyes F1, Fifa World Cup, Grand Slams
MUMBAI: After the government doctored the pitch in its favour, the Indian pubcaster now wants a share of more than just cricket under new media norms that mandate private broadcasters share listed events with Prasar Bharati.
This, coupled with stringent downlink norms, has forced at least two sports broadcasters — Ten Sports and ESPN Star Sports — to move the courts on the ground that such an environment would not only start telling on their bottomlines, but also breach their rights to carry on fair business.
Even as industry-government consultations are on to pinpoint sporting events, Prasar Bharati has conveyed to the information and broadcasting ministry that it would like properties such as the Football World Cup 2006, Formula One and the Tennis Grand Slams to be included in the list.
It is pertinent to note that the government is looking to see which properties should be included in that list and has had some talks with the sports ministry and private broadcasters in this regard.
A private sports broadcaster grudgingly admitted to Indiantelevision.com that the demands of Prasar Bharati, which manages Doordarshan and All India Radio, is making things tricky as the pubcaster gets more greedy.
The concerns of sports broadcasters get accentuated as some big non-cricket events are to be held over the next few months, which includes the Australian Open tennis, and the telecast rights of which are with a private broadcaster.
The next meeting of representatives from the broadcast industry and the I&B ministry is scheduled to be held this week
Meanwhile, ESPN Star Sports (ESS) has joined hands with rival Ten Sports in taking the government to court over the matter of sharing feeds with Prasar Bharati, including those events also for which telecast agreements had been concluded before the new law came into effect recently.
On Friday, ESS moved the Delhi High Court challenging some of the clauses in the downlink guidelines.
After an initial hearing, the matter has been kept for further arguments after the court’s winter vacation finishes early next year.
The ESS petition has made the Prasar Bharati too a party to the case.
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.
