News Broadcasting
News Corp’s OOH arm signs 1st deal in Bangalore; eyes stake in local firms
MUMBAI: News Corp-controlled News Outdoor Group (NOG)’s Indian arm News Outdoor India (NOI) has taken up a 10-year lease on bus shelters in Greater Bangalore.
According to sources in Bangalore’s civic administration, NOI emerged as the front-runner for the tender floated by the local government.
However, finacial details for the decade-long contract are not available.
NOI is also poised to pick up sizeable stakes in three to four outdoor advertising companies in India in a “marriage of local expertise and global experience,” advertising industry sources said.
The company, which has been in the process of getting its Indian act together from early 2006, is “close to finalising some deals in places like Karnataka (Bangalore) and Ahmedabad,” the sources added.
As reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, the Rupert Murdoch-controlled News Outdoor Group made a formal entry into India early this year and had evinced interest in buying into out of home advertising assets, which were of high quality and standing in their local markets.
This is in line with the Russia-headquartered group’s global strategy to grow its presence in the current countries of operation as well as in other emerging markets in Europe and worldwide.
The company offers high-quality advertising displays in prime locations through its operating subsidiaries like News Outdoor Bulgaria, News Outdoor Czech Republic, MMaximedia Israel, News Outdoor Poland, News Outdoor Romania, News Outdoor Russia, Kamera (Turkey) and News Outdoor Ukraine.
News Outdoor India (NOI) is headed by Sumantra Dutta and the company will look at following in its parent’s steps that is active in billboards, street furniture and bus shelters, unique boards, airport transit advertising and in-store POS (shopping mall, supermarket) displays.
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.
