News Broadcasting
Zee Telefilms relooks ADR issue
Zee Telefilms is reconsidering its ADR issue. Chairman Subhash Chandra told investment analysts (at a meet organised by Zee and attended by 200 of them on 11 May in Mumbai) that the company’s management was relooking whether its idea to go for an ADR issue was the best option available.
“We are relooking the issue,” he said. “Could debt be a better option? Or may be divesting Siticable equity? Or E-connect equity? We need about Rs 22,000 million for all our plans of convergence, may be we could raise it differently! In the current run of things with shares sinking to their depths, things do not look so bright for an ADR.”
The ADR issue was billed as the biggest from India with a target of raising $1.5 billion. It was later pruned to $200 million and going by current statements, it’s possible it may be called off totally.
The reason: the Zee stock has been stuck at between Rs 600-800 for the last few weeks. At Rs 1,500 plus last month, it seemed well on its way to cross Rs 2,500-3,000. Around that time it was hit by the meltdown in Internet and media stocks which was worsened when certain operators worked to a plan to pull the stock down from Rs 1,500 plus to less than Rs 600.
“We have committed to not divest more than 10 per cent of Zee’s equity,” said Chandra. “If we have to raise ADR funds at a price of Rs 600, then we will have to divest more than the figure we have committed.”
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.
