News Broadcasting
Sony Entertainment Television black out on DTH in the US
Sony Entertainment Television is off DTH television screens in the US for the past four days. The reason: DTH provider Direct TV has switched off the signal.
According to Sony Entertainment Television India officials, the channel had a franchise agreement with the Ethnic American Broadcasting Corporation (EABC) which was trying to bring together a bouquet of several language channels, including Arabic, Chinese and Russian. But it failed when its entire investment planning went awry.
EABC had contracted with Direct TV to collect subscription revenues, some of which it would keep, some of which would be passed on to Sony. With EABC going bust, there were no subscriptions being collected. The company is undergoing Chapter Seven bankruptcy proceedings. Reportedly Direct TV was supposed to keep Sony beaming until the courts reached a decision. However, the DTH provider switched off the signal four days ago.
Sony has since then been working on bringing the Sony Entertainment signal back on air and is in talks with another DTH service provider in the US. The courts are supposed to reach a decision by mid-next week, following which Sony officials will be in a position to make some announcements. Sony officials say Sony Entertainment should be back on track within the next 15 days.
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.
