News Broadcasting
CNN-IBN to turn pay, likely to be priced Rs 5
MUMBAI: CNN-IBN, the English general news channel from the TV18 stable, is turning pay and is tentatively priced at Rs 5.
Global Broadcast News (GBN), the company which owns and operates CNN-IBN, has entered into an MoU with Zee Turner Ltd. for distributing the channel. The MoU is valid till 31 March 2007.
“We have entered into an MoU with Zee Turner pursuant to which we will become a pay channel,” GBN said in its draft red herring prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
Though the price quoted in the MoU is Rs 5 a month per subscriber, this could change depending on the market situation. The channel may go pay in October, a source in the company says.
CNN-IBN will be distributed by Zee Turner as a stand-alone channel. “Zee Turner Ltd has agreed that it shall endeavour to collect the subscription charges from the subscribers on the basis of the agreement signed with them and remit the actual collected amount within 60 days of last day of collection to the company,” GBN said in its IPO (initial public offering) document. Zee Turner will be entitled to a fee of 20 per cent on the subscription charges on collection.
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.
