News Broadcasting
Star Group launches Star Ventures to manage JVs
MUMBAI: In a significant development, the Star Group today announced the formation of a new division called Star Ventures to manage and maximise the value of the company’s increasing portfolio of joint ventures.
Based in Hong Kong, Star Ventures will be headed by the group’s senior vice-president May Oh.
Star Ventures will oversee Star’s joint venture partnerships. Star’s key partnerships include ESPN Star Sports, Phoenix Satellite Television, Star News, Balaji Telefilms, Hathway Cable, China Network Systems and India DTH (Space TV).
ESPN Star Sports is a 50:50 joint venture between ESPN Inc. and Star, with 13 sports channels across Asia. On the other hand, Star owns a 37.6 per cent stake in Phoenix, a Hong Kong-listed Mandarin television platform, offering five channels to the global Chinese community.
In India, Star owns 26 per cent of Media Content and Communications Services (MCCS), which broadcasts Star News. Apart from that the media conglomerate also owns a 26 per cent stake in Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms, which produces fiction based television shows in Hindi, Telegu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada.
Star has formed a 20:80 joint venture with the Tata Group to build the direct-to-home (DTH) digital television platform – Space TV, which is still waiting for clearance from the Indian information and broadcasting ministry. Star also owns a 26 per cent equity stake in India’s second largest multi-system operator (MSO) Hathway Cable.
In China, Star owns a 20 per cent equity stake in China Network Systems (Taiwan’s leading cable TV service provider), which is a joint venture between Star and the Koo’s Group.
Commenting on the new division, Star CEO Michelle Guthrie said, “In the past few years, Star’s network of partnerships has grown as we have expanded our business in Asia. These partnerships have contributed significantly to our overall development and I have no doubt Star Ventures will unlock more value to the mutual benefit of Star and our partners.”
Oh said, “Star’s strategic partnerships have enabled us to break new ground, increasing our reach and enhancing our content to consumers. I look forward to working even more closely with our partners to execute our joint vision and aligning our interests.”
Oh has been with Star for the last five years. Most recently, she was vice president of distribution, responsible for managing the distribution and marketing of Star’s channels in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and the Middle East.
Prior to that, she worked with China Network Systems where she oversaw the digitisation of the company’s cable systems in Taiwan. Prior to joining Star, Oh worked with FOXTEL, managing its business development and business analysis teams in Australia.
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.
