News Broadcasting
Prasar Bharti collaborates with IIT Kanpur for direct-to-mobile broadcasting project
Mumbai: Today, there is a shift in viewing habits from linear television to OTT and from theatres to OTT. The rise in content creation is leading to more and more jobs for people. With the arrival of 5G, there is the possibility of direct-to-mobile broadcasting. In a collaboration, Prasar Bharti and IIT Kanpur have come up with a proof of concept whereby, with a small attachment, there can be a direct-to-mobile broadcast. So, without purchasing data, there can be 100-200 channels streamed direct to mobile.
Speaking at Ficci Frames Fasttrack 2022, I&B secretary Apurva Chandra said, “Without data and high-quality internet, users will be able to see high-resolution movies and listen to digital radio on their mobile phones. This change is coming. It will happen.”
He also announced that a report on the creation of an AVGC task force will be submitted soon. He noted that there were reports on skills, gaming, education, incentives, and other policy aspects within the task force. They are all being combined and will be submitted to the authorities. He added that the report will be adopted during the course of the year.
“AVGC is the future of this country. The best Hollywood films are being created in Bangalore and other places. AVGC will be the next great revolution like IT was 30 years ago,” he stated. Furthermore, he mentioned changing the cinematography act to include anti-piracy provisions. Also, there will be an age classification within the U/A category. The aim is to bring in amendments to the Act and put it before Parliament during the winter session.
He further added that the AVGC centre of excellence, which has not seen the light of day over the past six years, aims to do this only in collaboration with the private sector. An in-principle decision has been taken in this regard. A total of 26 per cent of the task force will be owned by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), 48 per cent by the ministry of information and broadcasting (I&B), and 26 per cent by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (Ficci).
He also said that the media and entertainment industries should target a combined size of $100 billion by 2030. He noted that during National Cinema Day, theatres were full even in the morning. That, he said, shows that you can get people to view movies in theatres as long as the ticket pricing is right. National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) will be the cinematic arm of the I&B ministry. The four film units will be merged into one. The film facilitation office will be revamped, he concluded.
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.
