News Broadcasting
NDTV rubbishes media report questioning ownership
MUMBAI: News broadcaster New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV) has not just been breaking news lately but has also been making headlines. The company has been asked to answer questions by the stock exchange regarding an article published by Moneylife on 9 June, 2015.
The said article titled “Who Really Owns NDTV” has put the spotlight on the company with the matter even trending on Twitter after the news came out. So much so that it also caught the attention of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which sought clarification from the publicly listed company on the same.
According to the report by Moneylife, a Mukesh Ambani group entity had taken control of NDTV on the pretext of a loan agreement, way back in 2009.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, NDTV executive vice chairperson KVL Narayan Rao refuted all allegations saying, “The promoters, i.e. Dr. Prannoy Roy, Radhika Roy and RRPR Private Limited (“RRPR”), continue to hold the majority shareholding of NDTV, which amounts to 61.45 per cent of the total shareholding of NDTV. There has been no change in the above shareholding since August 2008. Further, Dr. Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy continue to hold the entire shareholding of RRPR since its incorporation.”
Rao also added that there has been no change in the exercise of voting rights by the promoters with respect to their shareholding in NDTV. According to the records of NDTV, the voting rights in connection with the shares have throughout been exercised by the promoters in the case of Dr. Prannoy Roy, Radhika Roy and RRPR.
“Therefore, NDTV would like to clarify that the allegations raised in the article with respect to a change in the control/ ownership of NDTV are entirely without any merit. NDTV is mindful of its obligations under Clause 36 of the Listing Agreement,” he said.
It may be recalled that just last year Ambani’s Reliance Industries bought over Raghav Bahl’s Network 18 Media and Investments Ltd, which has under its belt TV news channels namely CNBC TV18, CNN-IBN and CNN Awaz amongst a host of other businesses. NDTV, on the other hand, competes with Network 18 with its own bouquet of news channels namely NDTV 24×7, NDTV India and NDTV Profit.
A source from the channel further said, “If NDTV has to take any loan, we have to inform the BSE. We do not give importance to every news piece.”
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.
