News Broadcasting
Three news channels set to launch in Telugu
MUMBAI: Down south, fierce competition between Telugu channels continues. Three more news channels are set to launch this year – Hyderabad-based Maa TV and the Sun TV network-owned Teja TV will be unleashing their news channels in two months, while Chennai-based Raj TV’s Telugu channel, Vissa TV, is scheduled to launch Vissa News by December.
All the three will have to contend with early movers TV9 and ETV 2. Of course, the trade will be closely watching the moves made by Chennai-based Sun TV network, which is planning its third channel in Andhra, tentatively named Teja News. In the Telugu entertainment space it is Sun’s Gemini that leads all comers followed by ETV.
Teja TV news bureau chief, Madhu P, told indiantelevision.com that the manpower for the upcoming channel had already been resourced.
“We have already recruited journalists and anchors for our upcoming news channel. Now we are starting the training programmes for our new team. The conceptualisation of programming is currently underway,” he said.
Vissa TV chief news editor Jayaseelan, meanwhile, told indiantelevision.com that his channel was technically very well equipped for the launch. When queried whether the presence of two news channels in Telugu had forced Vissa to launch one of its own, Jayaseelan said the whole idea was to bring original and exclusive news to audiences.
“We are not afraid of competition. Just by having a handful of channels, you can’t survive. To fight the competition, you need to come up with quality content and that is what we are striving for,” he said.
Meanwhile, Maa Television Network assistant marketing manager, Praveen Viswanathan revealed to indiantelevision.com that the channel is reviving plans for a news channel.
“Discussions are going on. We haven’t decided on the name of the channel yet. It will be launched in two months,” Viswanathan told indiantelevision.com.
Viswanathan justified the channel’s decision to enter the fray saying that news has an ever-expanding viewership.
“The trend is like a gold rush. When there is a gold rush, everyone would seek a share,” he said.
The two-year old network had contemplated launching a news channel earlier when ETV 2 and TV9 were launched. But they dropped the idea. Maa Television Network is promoted by a group of young entrepreneurs.
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.
