News Broadcasting
Praveen Swami, Gaurav Kalra join Network 18 at senior positions
MUMBAI: Network 18 recently announced the appointment of Praveen Swami as a group consulting editor and Gaurav Kalra as a networksports editor. On his role, Swami will work across platforms, writing in digital and appearing as a resident commentator on TV and Kalra will look after the coverage across brands and platforms and also oversee the task of positioning and expanding CricketNext.com as the foremost hub for cricket enthusiasts.
Prior to Network 18 Swami worked with Indian Express were he was the strategic affairs editor and produced both reportage and analytical commentary on a range of stories related to regional security and geo-strategies. Swami has also worked with The Hindu were he wasresident editor and strategic affairs editor. He is an acclaimed writer having authored two books – An Informal War: India, Pakistan and the Secret Jihad in Jammu and Kashmir and The Kargil War.
Kalra was at ESPNCricinfo as a senior editor. He was also the sports editor at CNN-IBN from 2005 and 2013. He started his career in 1997 with the UK based sports production company Trans World International.
Commenting on his new role Kalra said, “I am looking forward to my second stint at Network18. CricketNext.com has already established a strong presence among the cricket audience and I look forward to leading the effort to expand the scale and scope of the coverage on the platform.”
Kalra is a TV veteran and an accomplished writer. His columns have featured on various platforms including the Economic Times and Quint.
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.
