News Broadcasting
TN film body threatens action against stars
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Film Federation is threatening action against actors and actresses who recently appeared on television channels for special festival programmes in violation of a ban instituted a year ago.
The federation had banned film stars from giving interviews or making any appearances on television on the ground that it was adversely affecting revenues at the theatres.
“We have found that when stars appear on television, especially on festive occasions, it affects almost 90 per cent of our revenues,” ndtv.com quoted Selvin Raj, convenor, Film Federation of Tamil Nadu, as saying.
While that appears an exaggeration, producers certainly have a valid point that overexposure of stars on television eats into theatre collections.
“Trailers are not about actors and actresses, they are how the producer publicises the film. There is no necessity for stars to be on TV at all,” actress Khushboo has been quoted as saying.
That this kind of tough talking is not being seen on the Hindi film scene must be a huge relief to the likes of Subhash Chandra’s Zee TV, what with its current programming strategy pivoted around airing of new films.
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.
