News Broadcasting
NBA elections conclude; K V L Narayan Rao continues as president
MUMBAI: Results of the just concluded elections to News Broadcasters Association (NBA) are out. NDTV executive vice chairperson K V L Narayan Rao retains his post as president for the year 2013-14, making it his fourth term in office after succeeding DEN Founder Sameer Manchanda in 2010.
Similarly, MCCS CEO Ashok Venkataramani, who heads the channels ABP News, ABP Majha and ABP Ananda, continues to be Vice President of the association.
However, Network 18 Group CEO B Saikumar, touted as India’s youngest entrepreneur, has taken over from his predecessor – TV Today’s Anil Mehra – as treasurer.
However, it isn’t going to be a smooth ride for Rao. “It is not just an appointment. It is responsibility as well. I hope that I will be able to deliver what the industry wants,” says Rao.
Efforts are on to convince the TRAI and the government to understand their dilemma with respect to the ad cap that has been stayed by a TDSAT order till 11 November. Other problems news channels are grappling with include carriage fees, DAVP rates, and self regulation of content.
Meanwhile, TV Today’s new representative is Ashish Bagga as Mehra has decided to step down from the NBA. Other members include Independent News Services chairman Rajat Sharma, Times TV Network CEO Sunil Lulla, Zee News CEO Alok Agrawal, TV Today Network director Ashish Bagga, News 24 Chairperson Anurradha Prasad.
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.
