News Broadcasting
Prannoy Roy to float separate company for entertainment channel
MUMBAI: The Prannoy Roy family, which promotes NDTV Ltd, has decided to launch a general entertainment channel through a separate company.
According to an information available with Indiantelevision.com the Roys’ have located an investor who is likely to hold up to five per cent stake in the proposed company. This will probably be a ‘foreign origin’ investor, according to sources.
The general entertainment channel is likely to be launched in 18 to 24 months time, subject to government and regulatory approvals.
“The idea of floating a separate company for the launch of the general entertainment channel will give the promoters the flexibility to tap foreign investors,” the source said. According to the uplinking norms, news channels have a cap of 26 per cent foreign holding.
The proposed entertainment channel is part of Roy’s bigger game plan of having a bouquet of channels to address various segments of the audience.
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.
