News Broadcasting
As the world celebrates 50 years of Moon landing, Sony BBC Earth, AXN and Sony PIX peek into what went behind the mission
MUMBAI: 50 years ago, on July 20, 1969, millions of people around the world witnessed a trio of astronauts – Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin and Michael Collin – create history, as they became the first men to step on the moon. To commemorate this historical milestone, Sony Pictures Networks India’s (SPNI) English Cluster (comprising channels like Sony BBC Earth, AXN and Sony PIX) will celebrate the big day by premiering the movie ‘First Man’ and ‘8 days to the Moon’ for the first time on Indian television.
The Oscar and Golden Globe winning film ‘First Man’, is a biography on the life of astronaut, Neil Armstrong, and the legendary space mission that led him to become the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969. The movie, starring Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy, will air on AXN and Sony PIX this July 20 at 1:00 pm and 9:00 pm.
In a unique initiative, Sony BBC Earth has partnered with India’s largest interactive science centre – Nehru Science Centre – to showcase its content 8 Days: To the Moon and Back. The docu-series chronicles the journey of the first man to step on the moon. Students from various schools will get to witness this grand visual spectacle and hear the original and candid cockpit audio files from fifty years ago!
In addition to the on-ground leg, Sony BBC Earth has collaborated with leading radio channels across India to give the listeners a feel of one of the most dangerous and magnificent missions in history by airing the original conversation audio clips between the three astronauts. The channel also has an interesting digital campaign in place with games, facts and stories that will leave the viewers in awe.
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.
