News Broadcasting
Zee News poised for another revamp
NEW DELHI: Change, the Zee news group head Laxmi Goel, feels is the only truth and a sure shot way to climb up the popularity ladder. So, Zee News would undergo another change in the on-air look and feel as also add some new programming in the New Year.
“We last changed the look of the news channel almost six months back, which has brought in good results. It’s now time again to go in for another change that would be introduced from early next year,” Goel, one of the younger brothers of Zee Telefilms CMD Subhash Chandra, told indiantelevision.com.
According to Goel, the work on the on-air look is being done in-house and, in all probability, except the logo of Zee News almost everything would undergo a change, including the colours that had been used to enliven the earlier dull and dreary sets.
In line with the change, Zee News also proposes to introduce some new programming in 2004 to keep up with the viewers’ demands. Though Goel was not forthcoming with the new line-up, company sources indicated that health and education related programmes are being fine-tuned on the drawing board.
In recent times, several news channels, including CNBC TV 18, have introduced programming that cannot be strictly classified as hard news. For example, the executive golf programming on the CNBC TV 18 on the weekends or the health tips handed out by NDTV and Aaj Tak.
Alka Saxena, editor of Zee News and a recipient of the Indian Telly Award’s Best Programming Head of the Year award last month added that the programming changes are being brought about to cater to the demands and needs of the people.
“We continuously monitor the feedback from our viewers and the new programmes lined up, apart from the changes brought about in the existing on-air shows, are part of that exercise,” she said, adding that recently a study commissioned by them to study various viewing trends are also part of the input that have gone into designing new fare for Zee News.
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.
