News Broadcasting
News provider NDTV wants entertainment channel
Another player is eyeing the entertainment segment. This time it is the Prannoy Roy-promoted New Delhi Television (NDTV) which is quietly working on a plan to launch a channel of that ilk by mid- to end 2002. The name has not been decided as yet, (though daily Business Standard says it has been called NDTV World but the idea is to start the content aggregation for the channel by mid-2001. Currently, NDTV is in talks with financial institutions to fund the foray. NDTV is a partner of Rupert Murdoch’s Star TV in Star News and provides it with the daily news that has become synonymyous with Prannoy Roy.
NDTV has little experience in entertainment programming though it is producing two shows for Star TV along with BBC based on the Yes Minister! and Yes Prime Minister series. This apart it also showcases developments in the glamour and tinsel world on its news channels.
The move is being seen by observers as a preparatory move by NDTV to have its own media vehicle for carriage of its content should its relationship with Star TV for Star News not last out its full course till 2003. Star TV chief Peter Mukerjea has reportedly not been too happy about the manner in which the agreement betwen the two tilts in favour of NDTV.
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.
