News Broadcasting
No coercive action against Disney Star: Bombay HC to CCI
Mumbai: The Bombay high court has directed the Competition Commission of India (CCI) not to take coercive action against three broadcasters – Asianet Star Communications, Disney Broadcasting (India), and Star India in furtherance of an order initiating investigation against such companies. A bench of justices Gautam Patel and Madhav Jamdar passed the judgement, according to Bar and Bench report on Friday.
The court also directed the petitioners to furnish to the director general of CCI the documentary material called for in response to the queries in furtherance of the order, on a without prejudice and no-equities basis.
The director general was also ordered to keep the information collected by him confidential as required by law until the next hearing date.
The bench passed the order in writ petitions filed by the three petitioners challenging an order of CCI passed on 28 February directing its director general to initiate investigation under Section 26 of the Competition Act based on a complaint by Asianet Network Digital.
Asianet is in the business of distribution of TV channels to customers through local cable operators predominantly in Kerala. It had contended in its complaint that broadcasters such as the petitioners, must not have discriminatory pricing in commercial contracts with multi-service operators (MSOs) such as Asianet.
In the complaint, Asianet referred to the regulations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) and the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), which prohibits discriminatory in commercial contracts with MSOs.
Asianet stated that the petitioners, by abusing their position of dominance, provided significant discounts to a direct competitor through allied agreements that apparently offered a cashback system. The petitioners intended to bypass the Trai/TDSAT set-caps or upper limits with an intent to provide unfair advantage to Asianet’s competitors.
In view of this, CCI ordered the director general to conduct an investigation and submit a report within 60 days. The same was challenged before the high court.
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.
