News Broadcasting
CNN, iBN in co-branding, content sharing news deal
MUMBAI: A rumour is finally turning into a reality as CNN stitches up a deal with an Indian news broadcaster.
India Broadcast News or iBN, whose shareholders include the Television Eighteen Group, Rajdeep Sardesai and Sameer Manchanda, has managed to swing a licencing agreement with Time Warner group’s CNN, beating other Indian suitors.
The CNN deal, likely to be announced soon when formally inked, will enable the proposed English language general news channel iBN to go in for co-branding with the American news broadcaster on the lines of CNBC TV18 business channel.
Apart from co-branding, iBN will have access to CNN’s global content and presence. What is not clear at this juncture is whether this deal would also hold good for other general news channels, apart from iBN, that Global Broadcast News Pvt Ltd proposes to launch in Indian languages.
Under the terms of agreements, being hammered into a final shape in Delhi over the last few days, iBN will pay a mutually agreed upon royalty to CNN for using the American news brand, started by Ted Turner few decades back.
However, CNN will not have any equity stake and/or editorial control in the proposed English news channel, which is wholly promoted by Indians at present, to facilitate easy regulatory clearances.
The Indian government last week announced stringent media norms to regulate TV content and ensure foreign owned companies do not hold beyond 26 per cent stake in news channels uplinking from the country.
The publicly traded Television Eighteen group, which recently underwent a complex restructuring to comply with government norms to continue uplinking CNBC TV18 channel from India, was unavailable for comments.
Clarifications sought from CNN’s parent company via an email, sent yesterday, elicited no response till the time of writing this report.
Over the last 18 months, Indian broadcast industry has been abuzz with rumours of CNN flirting with Indian news broadcasters, including the Prannoy Roy promoted NDTV LTD, to strike up a local deal that would enable it to tap the growing Indian news market in a better fashion.
According to broadcast industry estimates the Indian news market is presently worth Rs 5 billion. Three years back, the segment was pegged at RS 1 billion.
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.
