News Broadcasting
Tara exits general entertainment; to launch news, music channels
MUMBAI: Rathikant Basu-promoted Broadcast Worldwide is set to launch news and music channels on 21 February as its general entertainment channel Tara Bangla has decided to call it quits.
Tara News will replace Tara Bangla on the distribution space and will be uplinked from its existing VSNL facility. Tara Muzik, on the other hand, will temporarily uplink from Bangkok till it obtains the uplinking permission from the information and broadcasting ministry.
“We were already airing eight hours of news and current affairs programming on Tara Bangla. The experience will help us to launch a 24-hour news channel. There is a wide interest in news and there is no specific channel to cater to this growing audience,” says Tara executive vice president and Tara News head Dr. Amit Chakraborty.
The exit of Broadcast Worldwide from the general entertainment space comes in the wake of stiff competition from rival channels like ETV Bangla, Alpha Bangla and Doordarshan’s regional channel. Sun Network is also planning to launch Surjo in this segment.
“Soaps have become a costly proposition in the Bangla market. One episode costs us Rs 50,000 on an average. With this money, we can easily produce about five to six episodes of non-fiction progamming,” says Chakraborty.
Broadcast Worldwide’s decision is also aided by the fact that it had more success with its non-fiction programming. “Our core strength has been non-fiction programming. During the last five years, the channel has got its highest TRPs from non-fiction programmes,” says Chakraborty.
Tara News will have hourly news bulletins throughout the day, punctuated by current affairs and other news-based programmes. Each news bulletin will be of thirty minutes duration. The focus will be on live programming with a daily dose of six to seven live current affairs shows. The channel will dish out live reports from the stock market.
The news channel segment in West Bengal is being eyed by major broadcasters. Star and Sahara are finalising their plans to enter the Bangla news market.
Tara Muzik will primarily be a music channel but will also air movies and telefilms. Broadcast Worldwide has acquired 50 movies and has a library of 100 telefilms. “We also have access to 350 movies and are producing eight telefilms a month,” says Chakraborty.
The music channel, to be headed by Dr. Chhanda Guha, will also air live music contests and concerts. But this can happen only after the channel obtains clearance to uplink from India.
Tara has three studios in Kolkata, two of which will be utilised for the news channel. Tara will also be formally launching Radio Tara and the Tara Music label on 21 February.
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.
