News Broadcasting
Times Now to launch by mid-January; test run on
MUMABI: Times Now, the news channel from the Times of India Group, is all set for launch, laying the ground for competition in the English news space so far dominated by NDTV 24X7. Just a fortnight back saw the launch of CNN-IBN whose shareholders include the Television Eighteen Group, Rajdeep Sardesai and Sameer Manchanda.
A test run of the channel is on after the uplinking permission was obtained in December-end. Confirming this, Times Global Broadcasting VP and business head Partho Das Gupta said, “We kicked off the show reel yesterday. We expect to launch the channel very soon.”
Sources say Times Now will launch by mid-January. The company has already tied-up with major cable networks such as Hathway Cable & Datacom and Incablenet for carriage of the channel across the country.
The pay channel will target urban audiences, Gupta added. Apart from hardcore general and business news, the channel will have lifestyle programmes. The channel has also firmed up its weekend line-up – Brand Equity, All About Her, Life’s Like That, Entertainment Now, By Invitation Only (to be hosted by Lillete Dubey) and The Foodie, among others.
The channel has roped in the popular model Kelly Dorji for a sports show – Sports Unplugged. Editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami will anchor several shows including Frankly Speaking and The Newshour – News in Context. Among the other programmes the channel has lined up are Reuters World Report ( global news), Line Of Duty, Upfront, Snapshots, Nine to Noon and Terminal Cap (business news) and 16 Minutes — Morning News.
Times Global Broadcasting Company Ltd is a joint venture between Times of India Group and Reuters which holds 26 per cent stake.
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.
