News Broadcasting
Video, ad revenues boost News Corp’s 4Q results
NEW YORK: Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp has done well in the fourth quarter of 2002; thanks to video and DVD sales of its Oscar nominated animated feature Ice Age as well as stronger advertising revenues.
News Corp’s net profit rose to $239 million in the second fiscal quarter, ended 31 December. There was a $606 million loss a year earlier, when the results included a $909 million sports contract write-down. News Corp expects current trends in advertising revenue growth to continue for the second fiscal half, but costs for Fox News will go up on account of the conflict in Iraq.
News Corp’s filmed entertainment unit more than doubled its operating income to $255 million from $115 million a year ago, bolstered by strong video and DVD sales of Ice Age and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and higher syndication profits for TV shows such as King of the Hill and X-Files.
A Reuters report states that operating income at the company’s television unit rose to $165 million from $113 million a year ago.
The Fox television network, produced a wider operating loss due to higher programming costs but chairman Rupert Murdoch predicted the network would benefit from the recent hit reality series American Idol II and Joe Millionaire. Operating income at New Corp’s cable network programming unit, which includes the Fox News Channel, the FX Channel and Los Angeles Dodgers, hit $121 million from $60 million a year ago.
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.
