News Broadcasting
Star News churns out ‘Kaun Banega Mukhyamantri’ for Maharashtra Assembly Elections
MUMBAI: It is election time again and Star News has once readied a bouquet of election related programming.
The channel has already kick started its elections coverage through a special segment – Maharashtra Mein Mahabharat, which reports the latest developments related to the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra.
The specialised election programming will be aired under its well-established umbrella brand Kaun Banega Mukhyamantri, a series that covers news from the audience’s perspective.
Kaun Banega Mukhyamantri’s coverage will start with the first opinion poll special – Pehli Tasveer, which will be aired on 18 September at 8 pm. This show will look at the initial signs of the emerging political scenario in the state.
This will be followed by a half-hour debate show – Kahiye Netaji – to be aired daily at 9.30 pm from 26 September. This show will bring politicians from a particular constituency face to face with their electorates for a live uncensored debate.
Starting 27 September, Kaun Banega Mukhyamantri – MAHArashtra Chunaav will provide updates on the election related developments from across Maharashtra. This half hour daily would be aired twice a day – 6.30 pm and 11.30 pm.
Kaun Banega Mukhyamantri – Taaza Tasveer, on the other hand, will present the findings of the second round of opinion polls closer to the voting day. The show will be aiming to present the emerging political picture at that time and an analysis of the same.
On the day of voting – 13 October – Kaun Banega Mukhyamantri would report on voting related developments and news followed by an Exit Poll special – Kaisi Hain Tasveer.
Kaun Banega Mukhyamantri – Aapka Hukum will report on the latest tally and results on counting day – 16 October throughout the day, followed by a post poll analysis special – Kahin Kursi Kahin Gham, which will be aired on 17 October at 8 pm.
Political analyst and commentator Mahesh Rangarajan will be Star News’ resident expert through the entire elections coverage and will provide analysis on the opinion polls, exit polls and post poll analysis shows. The channels’ anchors Gaurav Banerjee, Ajay Kumar, Sandeep Choudhary, Siddharth Sharma and Shazia Ilmi will be anchoring the various elections specials.
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.
