News Broadcasting
Piracy has cost entertainment industry Rs 4 mn
NEW DELHI: Rampant piracy in the entertainment industry has leads to an estimated loss of Rs 4 million annually for the Indian film industry.
Pointing out that these figures have been provided by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci), information and broadcasting minister Jaipal Reddy told Upper House of Parliament yesterday that under the Copyright Act, 1957, which falls under the purview of the ministry of human resource development, infringement of copyright is a cognisable offence.
The government, from time to time, receives representations from the film industry, regarding the need for strict action against piracy.
The responsibility of dealing with offences the Copyright Act rests with the police authorities of the state government and the Union Territory administration. Copyright Enforcement Cells have been set up in most of the states/Union Territories headed by a senior police officer to deal with such offences. No data is maintained centrally by the government regarding the number of video piracy cases reported, the minister said.
Film industry to grow at 18 per cent:
In reply to another question, quoting Ficci figures, Reddy said that the film industry in India is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 18 per cent to gross Rs 101million by the year 2008.
Gross industry revenues over a period of 1999 to 2001 have also recorded an increase. The industry recorded a loss in 2002. However, the total revenues of the industry increased to Rs 45 million in 2003. According to the Ficci report, the minister said, Indian diaspora across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and North America is conservatively estimated at 20 million. The underlying potential of the film industry to earn foreign exchange is linked to the effective reach of Indian films to these viewers, as also its visibility in global markets.
According to information received from the Film Federation of India (FFI), year-wise break-up of foreign exchange earned by the film industry during the last three years is as follows:
| Year | Amount |
|---|---|
| 2000-2001 | Rs 4.5 billion |
| 2001-2002 | Rs 9 billion |
| 2002-2003 | Rs 10.4 billion |
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.
