News Broadcasting
Star uplink case to go before cabinet soon, says Prasad
NEW DELHI: The Rupert Murdoch-controlled Star can breathe easy a bit. The information and broadcasting ministry proposes to take the issue of uplinking of news channels from India and their shareholding pattern to the cabinet “very soon”. It can happen as soon as later this week when a cabinet meeting has been tentatively scheduled.
“Very soon,” information and broadcasting minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told indiantelevision.com when asked when does he propose to take the Star News (now referred to as the uplinking issue in government circles) proposal to uplink from India to the cabinet.
Prasad, who participated in a meeting of the Ficci entertainment committee, today said on the sidelines that the background work on the cabinet note circulated to various ministries and government organisations (during his predecessor’s tenure) has been completed. He added that he would strive to take it to the cabinet as soon as possible and settle the issue, preferably in the next cabinet meet.
Earlier Prasad had told indiantelevison.com, during his first media interview, that the issue of Star News was “commanding” his attention though he had not specified a time frame on taking the matter to the cabinet.
When asked as to what would be the likely view of the I&B ministry on the issue, Prasad said that it was only for the cabinet’s ears. “I cannot make everything public at this juncture and to the media,” he countered when further quizzed on the issue.
Star News Broadcasting, a Virgin Island based company, had sought government permission to uplink from India news and current affairs content meant to be aired on Star News channel after Star takes full control of it from 1 April 2003,subsequent to the five-year content contract with NDTV coming to an end on 31 March.
Former I&B minister Sushma Swaraj had said that she would like to have the guidance of the Cabinet on the issue as it s ‘first-of-its-kind’ case where a foreign-owned news channel was seeking permission to disseminate news and current affairs programming to primarily Indian audiences and that it also amounted to 100 per cent FDI (foreign direct investment).
The Indian government’s rules and regulations cap FDI at 26 per cent in the news category in the print medium, while allowing up to 74 per cent FDI in non-news and technical category of the print medium.
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.
