News Broadcasting
Zees DID, Buddha get takers at Mipcom
MUMBAI: It’s time for broadcasters to take stock of business at the recently concluded Mipcom 2013 and Zee TV, it seems, has emerged a winner.
The formats were the highlights for Zee at Mipcom says Sunita Uchil
Not only is the channel’s Dance India Dance a topper in terms of ratings, the show featured prominently on buyers’ lists at the content festival.
“It is the only dance format show, which is home grown. The dance format was largely viewed by buyers who came to our booth with the prospect of using the concept,” says Zee global head syndication Sunita Uchil.
Apart from DID, Zee’s new series Buddha struck a chord with international buyers. “We had a lot of inquiries even for the new series, which has never been made,” says Uchil.
The historical series Jodha Akbar too found resonance among buyers. “Historicals are always popular. Last year, Jhansi ki Rani was the talking point for buyers and this year, it was Jodha Akbar. It is known and liked because of the images, characters and shots,” says Uchil.
It was a busy MIPCOM for Zee, which had close to 90 meetings during the four-day fest. “The formats were the highlights for us,” exults Uchil and adds: “So while there were takers for Dance India Dance from Japan, the Asia Pacific region and Europe; the historical series got preference from the Middle East and Africa region. And, there were takers for our drama scripts from the Latin American market.”
Additionally, the Zee booth had buyers looking for bulk purchase of drama series such as Pavitra Rishtaa, Punar Vivaah, Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke and Badalte Rishton ki Daastan. “All these drama shows are a part of anybody’s buy. So when buyers consider us, they look at us with the bulk of our shows,” says Uchil.
Just how many deals has Zee cracked at Mipcom? “We are still talking to the buyers, but will soon close the deals,” says Uchil without really answering our question…
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.
