News Broadcasting
Ten Sports ahead of ESS in most Metros
MUMBAI: The not so new sports channel on the block, Ten Sports may be maintaining a low profile but in terms of ratings it seems to be giving ESPN Star Sports a licking, if the ratings are to be believed.
The figures show that if one takes out special and high profile events, people seem to prefer tuning in to Ten Sports for news updates and wrestling. According to TAM data put out by Emedia plan for ESPN, Star Sports and Ten Sports for the week starting 26 January ( c&s households 4+, specific cities) Ten Sports has made a clean sweep of the top five shows in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata.
In Delhi and Mumbai the, Raw and Smackdown wrestling content has choke slammed ESS. In Delhi, the Raw edition which aired on 27 January had a TVR of 2.61, a channel share of 19.4 while Smackdown had a TVR of 2.6 and channel share of 31.02. Its news bulletin Peter England Sports Update as well as Ten Sports Wash Out round out the top five.
In Mumbai, while the ratings for Ten Sports’ shows are lower, it has still beaten off ESS. Smackdown has the number one spot with a TVR of 1.94 and channel share of 16.47. Raw has a TVR of 1.89 and channel share of 16.56.
The South market however favours ESS with ESPN sweeping Bangalore. Legends of Cricket which aired on 29 January had a TVR of 1.99 and market share of 5.79. Football Focus had a TVR of 1.55 and market share of 4.72. In Chennai, however, just one Star Sports programme makes the cut. Its Mission South Africa special is in fourth spot with a TVR of 0.63 and channel share of 1.91.
It is also interesting to to note that it is the Ten Sports news bulletins that people are tuning into in Chennai. The wrestling specials are absent. Also it is worth noting that Jason Dacey’s Sportsline news bulletins for ESS do not feature anywhere.
In the prevailing scenario, it is perhaps a smart idea for ESS to feature a Mike Tyson boxing extravaganza. Tyson will take on fellow American, Clifford -The Black Rhino. This airs live on 23 February on ESPN at 7:30 am. Star Sports will have a repeat that night at 10 pm. ESPN repeats it on Monday at 1 pm. The event takes place in Memphis at The Pyramid arena . At least that gives viewers a reason to tune in to the channels apart from the Taking Guard and Follow Through specials that ESS has been hacking out in a desperate aim to divert attention from MAX.
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.
