News Broadcasting
Sony launches ‘Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya’ as part of fresh afternoon menu
Sony Entertainment Television yesterday announced the launch of a new daily soap Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya, part of an initiative on SET’s part to repackage its programming in the afternoon band which becomes effective 4 June.
When asked about the logic behind placing a new serial in the afternoon band, Rekha Nigam, senior VP programming, says: “As we rule the weekend slots, we also want to capture the afternoon band and for that we will be providing a new bunch of programming.” Nigam made her comments at a press conference to announce the new drive in south Mumbai’s Oberoi hotel.
Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya is produced by Shobhna Desai, who has a number of popular serials like Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka, Alpaviram (afternoon slot on Sony) and Sony’s new prime time serial Hum Pardesi Ho Gaye, to her credit.
Kaun Apna… will be telecast at 1:30 PM and will replace the popular dance-based programme Boogie Woogie, which is being advanced to the 12 noon slot.
“Sony is specifically targeting the 12 noon to 3:00 PM time band,” Nigam says. According to Nigam, marketing research indicates that this was the peak viewing time in the afternoon band where the viewership essentially comprise housewives and school and college going kids.
The programming is also organised accordingly. Boogie Woogie‘ therefore targets all age groups but essentially looks at youngsters while the later programmes focus more and more on housewives.
Along with the Kaun Apna..., Ek Mahal Ho Sapno ka, another popular daily soap which currently airs at 10:15 PM, will air in the rescheduled afternoon band at 1:00 PM to make it more attractive for the viewers.
Reruns of recently launched prime time serials Kkusum and Kahin Diyaa Jale Kahin Jiyaa are also been scheduled for the band. However, old shows Alpaviram, Ajanabi, Aurat, Ghar Ek Mandir and Itihaas will remain in their current slots between 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Alpaviram will be getting over by first week of June which will be replaced by Chhoti Si Asha
“We will be pushing the afternoon band. The packaging and promos will be specially done through newspapers, hoardings and on the channel,” says Nigam. She refused to give details on the budget Sony had set aside for the promotion.
Nigam would not be drawn into a debate on ratings. “We will be providing completely fresh entertainment and we will be pitching hard, so I am confident that we will grab the afternoon band also. As far as TRPs go, I dont believe in it, in the sense that our priority is to try and identify the concept which strikes a chord with viewers. The soul of any programme is the concept and TRPs follow that. So it is too early to talk about that.
As far as advertising goes, the rates per 10 second slot for Kaun Apna … and Ek Mahal Ho Sapno ka has been kept at Rs 80,000 and for other shows has been kept at Rs 60,000.
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.
