News Broadcasting
Sky’s chief financial officer Stewart calls it a day
MUMBAI: Sky’s chief financial officer, Martin Stewart, has announced plans to quit his position at Sky “to pursue other interests.”
Stewart said, “I have been privileged to work at Sky in a uniquely fascinating phase of its development during which it has evolved from an analogue product to the UK’s leading digital platform with over seven million customers. After eight years of service to BSkyB, it is now the right time for me to pursue new opportunities.” He will leave the company in August.
Stewart was one of the candidates competing to be the company’s CEO after Tony Ball resigned last year. The 40 year old Stewart was the finance director since 1998, before which he was a manager in the company’s finance division. Along with Ball he oversaw the successful strategy of switching all Sky’s customers to its digital service and giving away the set-top decoder boxes that subscribers need. Under them, the company reached its target of 7 millions customers and they saw off the challenge from ITV Digital.
Sky’s chief executive James Murdoch said, “Martin has played an enormous role in the success of Sky and has been instrumental in the Company’s transition from analogue to digital. He will be leaving the company in a superlative position thanks in no small part to his contribution across the operations and strategy of the Group. On behalf of the management and the Board, I wish him every success in the future and thank him for his committment and personal contribution to the success of the business.”
Reports further indicate that Stewart made several million pounds during his tenure.
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.
