News Broadcasting
Viacom’s revenues for the year rise 19% to $11.5 billion
MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Viacom has reported financial results for the full year and fourth quarter ended 31 December, 2006.
For the year, revenues were up by 19 per cent to $11.5 billion. Media networks revenues rose by seven per cent to $7.24 billion, led by an increase of 11 per cent in affiliate revenues to $2.03 billion.
Global ad revenues were up six per cent to $4.29 billion, while ancillary revenues grew two per cent to $916 million.
Viacom executive chairman Sumner M. Redstone, said, “Viacom delivered solid results for 2006, guided by a new management team under the leadership of Philippe Dauman, who has moved quickly to put the Company back on a steady path of success. I have great confidence that we will continue to build on the momentum of the last several months both in expanding our digital horizons and continuing to grow in traditional markets.”
Viacom president and CEO Philippe P. Dauman says, “We are making significant progress financially and operationally to ensure that we thrive in all distribution channels, including the evolving digital marketplace. Financially, our 2006 performance was strong, with double digit growth in revenues and operating income and 16 per cent growth in adjusted net earnings per share.
“During the first quarter of this year, we took decisive steps to deploy our capital in more productive ways, including restructuring our operations here and abroad. At the same time, we continued to introduce popular new programming on our linear channels, to expand our digital operations organically and to reach innovative agreements with new digital partners.
Additionally, we continue to expand on our position as a leading global provider of digital wireless video, and to innovate with new online sites and experiences.”
In 2006, acquisitions contributed $125 million in incremental revenues to media networks. The increase of 46 per cent in film revenues to $4.38 billion in 2006 from $3.00 billion in 2005 principally reflected the acquisition of DreamWorks and distribution activities for DreamWorks Animation and the DreamWorks live-action library.
This contributed $1.36 billion to 2006 revenues. Fourth Quarter revenues of $3.59 billion grew 32 per cent from $2.72 billion in 2005. Media Networks revenues rose by four per cent in the quarter to $2.08 billion from $1.99 billion in 2005 led by growth in affiliate revenues which were up 14 per cent to $532 million. Worldwide advertising revenues rose six per cent to $1.26 billion from $1.19 billion in 2005.
Ancillary revenues declined 15 per cent in the quarter versus 2005 to $289 million, principally due to timing and mix of home entertainment releases. Acquisitions contributed $78 million in incremental revenues to Media Networks in the quarter. Film revenues doubled to $1.57 billion, with the acquisition of DreamWorks and the distribution activities for DreamWorks Animation and the DreamWorks live-action library films contributing revenues of $560 million.
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.
