News Broadcasting
Network18 announces consolidation of India’s top news media powerhouses
Mumbai: Network18 Media & Investments Ltd (Network18) (NSE: NETWORK18) and TV18 Broadcast Ltd (TV18) (NSE: TV18BRDCST) has announced a scheme of arrangement in terms of which TV18 and e-Eighteen.com Ltd (“E18”, which owns and operates moneycontrol website and app) will merge with Network18.
The proposed scheme will consolidate the TV and digital news businesses of the Network18 group in one company and will help create India’s largest platform-agnostic news media powerhouse with the widest footprint across languages, straddling both TV and Digital. It will enable Network18 to consolidate and further grow its business from a position of strength. This will present a unique opportunity to all shareholders to participate in the media business of the group through one listed entity.
The merged entity will comprise of the TV portfolio of TV18 (20 news channels in 16 languages and CNBCTV18.com), Digital assets of Network18 (News18.com platform across 13 languages and Firstpost) as also moneycontrol website and app. Viacom18 with its portfolio of JioCinema and 40 TV channels will be a direct subsidiary of Network18. Network18 will continue to hold its investment in BookMyShow.
As consumers and advertisers increasingly gravitate towards omnichannel experiences across different aspects of their lives, having a deep and integrated presence across both TV and digital media will enable the merged entity to serve them better. Further, as the Network18 group has been working towards convergence, an integrated entity for news gathering and dissemination is expected to result in cost and content synergies.
The Board of Directors of the respective companies have approved the scheme of arrangement at their meetings held today.
Brief details of the scheme of arrangement:
Appointed date for merger: 1 April, 2023
Share exchange ratio:
100 shares of Network18 for every 172 shares of TV18
19 shares of Network18 for every 1 share of E18
A joint valuation report for the fair share exchange ratio has been provided by PwC Business Consulting Services LLP (PWC BCS) and Ernst & Young Merchant Banking Services LLP (EY). PWC BCS was appointed by Network18 and EY was appointed by TV18 and E18. BofA Securities India Limited (for Network18), Citigroup Global Markets India Pvt Ltd (for TV18) and HSBC Securities and Capital Markets India Pvt Ltd (for E18) provided Fairness Opinion as financial advisors while Khaitan & Co. is the legal advisor for the Scheme.
The scheme of arrangement is subject to all necessary approvals.
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.
