News Broadcasting
News channels hit record viewership in terror week
MUMBAI: As the deadly terror attacks struck Mumbai on 26 November, Indians all over the country stayed glued to news channels. Providing regular updates and a rigorous 60 hours of live TV coverage, the news genre gained immensely during this period.
Hindi news channels occupied 22.4 per cent of the entire TV viewing share for the four days (26 to 29 November) of terror coverage, the highest the genre has ever recorded in Indian television. Hindi general entertainment channels, which enjoy maximum TV viewing, had a share of 19.5 per cent while Hindi movie channels took away a 15.1 per cent share, as per Tam data (C&S, 4+, HSM).
For the week ended 29 November, Hindi news channels have seen a 10 per cent surge in market share to 16.1 per cent, from an average of 6.7 per cent in the prior four weeks (26 October to 22 November).
Hindi general entertainment channels, which were not showing any fresh content due to the dispute between TV producers and workers, were hard hit, with the genre share sliding to 22 per cent for the week, from a previous four-week average of 32.4 per cent.
The high-voltage drama has fetched Aaj Tak the highest number of viewers among the Hindi news channels. Aaj Tak has gained 6 per cent to enjoy a market share of 23 per cent for the week ended 29 November. The next big gainer in the Hindi news genre is Zee News, with a 3 per cent rise to 11 per cent.
In the pack, Star News is at 16 per cent (gained 1 per cent) while India TV and IBN7 has seen no change which stand at 16 per cent and 11 per cent respectively.
NDTV India also remains static at 8 per cent, followed by News24 and Samay both at 4 per cent. Tez has slipped by 1 per cent, DD news, Live India have fallen by 2 per cent each.
In the English news genre, NDTV 24X7, which has gained 5 per cent, has captured the highest market share for the week with 30 per cent (C&S, 15+, All India). Times Now also gained 5 per cent to garner a share of 28 per cent.
CNN-IBN lost in the numbers game, slipping 6 per cent to have a share of 24 per cent. Down the ladder, NewsX gained marginally to have a 9 per cent share among English news channels while Headlines Today fell from 13 per cent to 9 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.
