News Broadcasting
Sky’s revenues rise to ?1,511m in 2002
LONDON: Sky Digital subscriptions will touch its yearend target of 7 million, as per the latest results announced by the company.
By the end of December 2002, the number of subscribers to the service stood at 6,562,000, coming from a total increase of 244,000 in the quarter, says a digitalsky report. The company’s total revenue for the period was ?1,511 million, composed mainly by a strong ?1,112 million total from Sky Digital revenues.
Sky CEO Tony Ball was quoted as saying: “Double digit revenue growth combined with tight control of costs has resulted in strong margin expansion driving significant and rapidly growing free cash flow. We are well on track to hit all of our targets and we look forward to the rest of the year with confidence.”
The report states that the percentage of the subscribers taking the top tier ‘Sky World’ package rose impressively to 55 per cent.
Takers of the ‘Extra Digibox’ offer were up over 50 per cent, an increase of 42,000 to 117,000, whilst Sky+ subscribers rose 27,000 to 65,000.
At 9.4 per cent, the proportion of subscribers leaving the service, over the six month period ended 31 December 2002 was the lowest since the launch of Sky Digital in 1998.
The crucial ARPU figure for the quarter, measuring the average total a subscriber will spend on the service in a year, was reported as ?351, a ?3 rise on the previous quarter, says the digital sky report.
Interactive revenues showed signs of stagnation, despite the higher number of subscribers. The total interactive revenues, composed from both Sky Active revenues and betting revenues, held still at ?91 million. Whilst Sky Active revenues were up to ?48m, they were met with a balancing decline in betting revenues to ?43m.
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.
