News Broadcasting
Star Group may clock $ 100 million+ profit in 2005
NEW DELHI: The Rupert Murdoch-controlled Star Group, News Corps pan-Asian venture, is expected to clock a profit of over $ 100 million for financial year (FY) ending June 2005, riding strongly on the Indian operations.
Basing its observations on a 2 February financial results conference call, featuring Murdoch, Hong Kong-based Media Partners Asia has quoted News Corp as saying that profit at Star will be well over $100 million for FY 2005.
The revenues, according to News management, would be largely driven by the strength of programming operations in India, which include market leader Star Plus, new free-to-air and pay channels and the addition of the Disney kids channels to the Star distribution bouquet.
Star more than doubled consolidated operating income to an estimated $29 million despite initial cost associated with launching a new general entertainment channel in India (Star One) last year and continued losses in China.
During the conference call, quoted by MPA, News stated that Star revenues grew by six per cent during the December 2004 quarter, which MPA estimates to total $133 million. This has been driven largely by advertising gains (mainly associated with Star Plus in India) and subscription revenue growth that is attributable to the launch of Star Chinese Movies in South-East Asia.
MPA estimates that Star could deliver at least $109 million in operating income for FY 2005, driven largely by India, though it is also expected that Xing Kong would break even in China.
We forecast revenue growth of 16 per cent through FY 2005 with advertising growth in India expected to reach between 20 30 per cent. Other contributors will include Taiwan, China and South East Asia,MPA said in a recent report.
With a joint venture with the Tatas for a DTH platform yet to get Indian government clearances, MPA does not expect the Space TV venture to commercially launch services until Q4 2005.
For Q2 FY 2005 (quarter ending December 2004), News Corp reported on 2 February an increase in operating income by 24 per cent year-on-year to $954 million, driven by its filmed entertainment and cable network (income of $227 million, up 46 per cent Y/Y) divisions. Growth at the TV division was soft at $153 million, bolstered only by record earnings at News� Asian
subsidiary, Star Group.
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.
