News Broadcasting
DD getting Indo-Pak telecast rights for free: Sarma
NEW DELHI / MUMBAI: Indian pubcaster Prasar Bharati believes it has got the telecast rights for the upcoming “blockbuster” cricket series between Indian and Pakistan for free? That is the way Parsar Bharati CEO K Sarma has read the Madras High Court’s observation in the cricket telecast case.
According to Sarma,As per the court directives, all the money that is generated in the form of advertising would have to be deposited by the board.Sarma pointed out that in effect Doordarshan was getting the matches absolutely free under the present circumstances. He said that the court will decide in what proportion the revenue generated is to be split amongst the various parties concerned.
Doordarshan would be showing the matches on DDs National terrestrial network and DD Sports, which is a satellite channel.
Sarma emphasizes that as per their understanding of the court order DD has exclusive rights for the Indian terrority.
Which raises the pertinent question. The BCCI, by its own admission, has stated that it lost out on revenues to the tune of Rs 1.5 billion due to the telecast of the the previous three fixtures that were held last October-November involving Australia, South Africa and Pakistan (BCCI silver Jubilee ODI) on national broadcaster Doordarshan.
The value that was attached to this particular series was Rs 1.93 billion.If, as Sarma says, there is a zero payout being made to the BCCI, then the total in lost revenues that the BCCI will be suffering as a fallout from the cricket rights mess till date is a whopping Rs 3.43 billion.
A case of lost opportunity if ever there was one
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.
