News Broadcasting
Scientific Atlanta forges alliance with cable operator Susquehanna
Cable TV viewers in the US will now be able to play interactive games like backgammon, checkers and poker on Explorer digital interactive set-tops, thanks to Scientific Atlanta’s alliance with Susquehanna Communications.
Susquehanna subscribers, who play on its Classic Games channel, will be able to compare their performance with other system subscribers on top 10 leader boards.
Scientific-Atlanta, a leading supplier of digital content distribution systems, gave the cable operator Classic Games through a simple software download to a cable headend. It is stored on an application server and delivered as per the subscriber’s requirement to the Explorer digital interactive set-top.
Susquehanna is among the top 20 cable companies in America with a 2,00,000 customer base. The service is first being offered in York and Williamsport, Pennsylvania and Brunswick, Maine.
The deal comes shortly after an ITV gaming report, predicting the market for interactive television games in Europe and America to cross 8.5 million users by the end of the year. By offering enhanced facilities like interactive games, Susquehanna expects increased digital penetration and subscriber loyalty, by ensuring active participation.
Susquehanna’s Digital Premium Services gives subscribers 14 showtime channels, The Movie Channel, nine HBO channels, six channels of Cinemax, as also a maximum of 45 channels airing commercial-free digital music, an interactive on-screen guide and parental controls. 38 digital pay per view channels are also on Susquehanna’s offer list.
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.
