News Broadcasting
NDTV World set to merge with NDTV; process at advanced stage
MUMBAI: NDTV World, the wholly owned subsidiary of Prannoy Roy’s New Delhi Television Ltd, is being amalgamated into the parent company.
With this move, Dr Roy looks to have finally buried his plans for launching, at some point, an “infotainment” channel on the lines of NBC, which was the original reason for which NDTV World was constituted.
Although the outer time limit set for the completion of this process is 31 March 2004, informed sources say the merger will go through much before that.
A committee appointed by the Delhi High Court at its meeting on 6 December approved the merger proposal. The appointment of the committee followed the filing of amalgamation papers in the High Court on 7 November.
As per the terms of the application before the High Court, a copy of which is with indiantelevision.com, NDTV World (paid up capital of Rs 185.2 million, authorized capital Rs 250 million) will be merged with NDTV Ltd (paid up capital Rs 204.57 million, authorized capital Rs 250 million) effective from the date the High Court gives its final clearance.
According to sources, from NDTV’s end, all necessary documentation has been completed and all that remains is the court’s okay for the merger.
According to the papers that have been submitted, the principal reason for doing away with NDTV World is that its “non-news and other business has not really increased as anticipated.” Since NDTV World’s infrastructure, manpower and surplus reserves are mainly being utilized by NDTV Ltd, there is no rationale for the existence of two separate companies, the submission states.
What this all means is that for NDTV, it is the news business, and only the news business, upon which its future rests.
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.
