News Broadcasting
Reading takes precedence over e media in India: Study
NEW YORK: India is not too “e-media friendly,” with only 31.9 hours being spent per person per week on electronic media.
The country however leads several other countries in newspaper readership with 79 per cent of the reading public hooked on newspapers. India also tops in another category – 87 per cent of parents with children under the age of 20 said that they spend more quality time with them. Worldwide, the figure is 54 per cent. Venezuela is at the bottom of the list at 21 per cent.
These are a few of the findings of 2002 Worldwide Time Study conducted by US based global marketing research and consulting firm RoperASW. The firm compared priorities around the globe. The study, conducted in 30 countries, sampled 1000 people in each country through in-depth interviews and revealed some surprising results with regard to how individuals spend time with family, at work and at play.
The study asked individuals how much time they spend and how often they partake in some common activities, offering a glimpse into the culture of each country. The RoperASW 2002 Worldwide Time Study dealt with consumers age 13 to 65 in each of 30 or more countries each year. The sample is nationally representative of the population in North America and Western Europe and the urban population in other regions and excludes lower-income groups in Latin America, developing Asia and Africa.
South Africans are the most media-hungry with each person devoting 59.4 hours per week to electronic media. Americans are slightly above average with 46.5 hours. The global average for time spent on electronic media (television, radio and Internet) is 42.3 hours per week.
While India leads in newspaper readership, the US comes in below average at 42 per cent. The UK is about average at 56 per cent. The study found that 53 per cent of the global population reads the newspaper almost daily. Mexico is on the bottom of the list with only 21 per cent.
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.
