News Broadcasting
Pay broadcasters meet on pricing issue
NEW DELHI / MUMBAI: Today could well be the day that the public have a clear inkling of just what will be their payout if they wish to opt for all the pay channels that are available in a post conditional access rollout scenario. And if initial indications are anything to go by, the total monthly tab will almost certainly cross the “magic” figure of Rs 200 that information and broadcasting minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has been harping upon.
Representatives of pay broadcasters from Star India, Sony Entertainment Television India and even Zee Telefilms are meeting at 1:30 pm at the ESPN Star Sports offices in Delhi to discuss a common strategy on the pricing issue. The broadcasters hope to have it ready before they head in for their scheduled meeting at the I&B ministry at 3 pm. One pay broadcaster executive on condition of anonymity said he expected something to evolve today.
Today’s all-broadcaster meeting follows confabulations that Star and Sony had yesterday over the same matter. It is reliably learnt that Star had drawn up an initial pricing plan on Monday. CEO Peter Mukerjea and COO Sameer Nair were holed up all day yesterday at the Star offices in Worli, fine-tuning the package.
As far as the price is concerned, whether Star, Sony or Zee, indications are that the total package for each pay bouquet will cost in the Rs 50-55 range, while if a la carte rates are added up it will come to about Rs 70. And the cost of a Star Plus or SET? Around Rs 15, say industry watchers.
Stay tuned for further developments.
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.
