News Broadcasting
TV18 to cut 12% jobs, merge broadcast operations
MUMBAI: TV18 will cut 12 per cent of its permanent staff and merge the broadcast operations of its two business news channels, a clear sign that news channels need to take corrective measures amid slowdown in advertising revenues.
The company will also use Rs 3 billion out of its proposed Rs 5.1 billion rights issue to retire part of its debt.
The twin steps will result in a cost saving of Rs 650 million annually.
“Around 205 jobs are gone, but senior editorial staff have been retained,” a source said.
TV18 will merge the logistics, back-end and broadcast operations of the two channels – CNBC TV18 and CNBC Awaaz – coinciding with the completion of 10 years of CNBC TV18 and five years of CNBC Awaaz as stand-alone operations.
Network18 Group CEO Haresh Chawla said, “It is our belief that the next stage of growth and profitability of our business news operations will come from a more synergistic entity that combines the strength of two powerful and complementary brands. TV18 has already embarked on a path to financial restructuring as mentioned in the rights issue offer. Both these moves put together will make TV18 more robust in operating as well as financial terms.”
The company explained that the channels will continue to maintain their distinct identities. Only some of the over-lapping and common operations at the back-end are being merged. The company expects to optimise approximately 20 per cent in annual operating costs via this restructuring.
TV18 said that these moves will help the company return to better operating margins and profitability. The company will take a one-time extraordinary restructuring charge in the current quarter, and the synergies are likely to result in savings from the next quarter.
Shares of TV18 closed Friday at Rs 78.75, up 2.54 per cent.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
