News Broadcasting
New English news channel Harvest TV to launch on Republic Day
MUMBAI: As the general elections are inching closer, media veterans are set to launch several news ventures. Harvest TV is expected to be the first off the blocks. The English news channel, which has congressman Kapil Sibal as one of its promoters, is set to go on air from 26 January, according to a report by ‘ThePrint’.
Harvest TV is owned by Veecon Media that already has licences for English, Hindi and other regional language channels. The news venture will see the return of high-profile journalists Barkha Dutt, Karan Thapar and Punya Prasun Bajpai.
The channel’s uplinking and downlinking will be done by Intelsat-17.
Dutt will anchor a prime show and so will Thapar. Other prominent TV anchors such as Seemi Pasha (ex-India Today) and Vineet Malhotra (ex-Times Now) are also expected to be a part of the channel.
According to ThePrint, the launch preparations are on in full swing. The promos are being shot now and will be on air before the launch.
Another channel to be launched on the same date is Republic Media Network’s Hindi news channel, Republic Bharat. In a recent announcement, the network has elevated Vikas Khanchandani as group CEO and also appointed Bhaskar Das as the group president.
Hemant Sharma, formerly of India TV, is also working on launching a Hindi channel for the TV9 group, along with journalists Vinod Kapri and Ajit Anjum.
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.
