News Broadcasting
NDTV MetroNation plans to launch in Chennai by October-end
NEW DELHI: After launching MetroNation in Delhi last September, NDTV Group plans to launch the city-specific channel in Chennai by October-end.
The next launch will be in Mumbai by the end of the fiscal. Says MetroNation CEO Rajiv Lulla, “As far as entering more markets is concerned, MetroNation will be launched in Chennai first by the end of October. The channel will be launched in Mumbai by the end of this fiscal. The subsequent launches will depend on the needs of the market.”
Lulla’s focus will be to expand the reach of the channel and tap advertisers. “I will not be changing the programmes of the channel. I will be working towards strengthening our relationship with advertisers. Then my job will be to expand the distribution to make sure that the channel is widely available. The thrust will also be on marketing the channel,” says Lulla.
However, Lulla did not give out the investment plans. “It would be inappropriate to comment on the investments, as it would depend on the markets we enter,” he adds.
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.
