News Broadcasting
Network18 denies asset sales to Times Group in BSE filing
MUMBAI: Network 18 has dismissed media reports of its asset sales to Times Group, calling the story “false and malicious,” in its latest Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) filing.
“We refer to your email…seeking clarification on news item ‘Network18 denies reports on assets sale to Times Group,” Network18 said in its statement to BSE.
“We reiterate that the report of a sale of Company's news assets is false and malicious,” the statement added.
The said article appeared in Livemint on 29 November. The article had quoted an earlier Bloomberg report that said Bennett Coleman and Co, or Times Group, is looking to hire advisers for due diligence on the news properties of the Mukesh Ambani-owned company (Network18), where options range from an outright exit to a stake sale. Talks, however, may not translate into a deal, as more suitors may emerge, it added.
Earlier in November, there were media reports that Reliance was in talks with Japan’s Sony Corp for a stake sale in Network18 Media and Investments Ltd.
Network18 has vehemently denied these media reports.
“Reliance Industries firmly denies (the) story. The story is baseless and false,” a company spokesperson said on 2 December.
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.
