News Broadcasting
NDTV Profit asserts ratings lead over CNBC
MUMBAI: Three weeks into launch and NDTV’s business channel NDTV Profit asserts it has toppled market leader CNBC in viewership among business news channels. The channel launched on 17 January.
Quoting from the latest Tam data, a company release states that NDTV Profit has beaten CNBC in the second week (23 – 29 January) since its launch with a market share of 57.9 per cent compared to CNBC’s 42.1 per cent in the all day parts in the C&S 4+ all India market.
Even in the key peak business hour (9 am to 4 pm) time band, NDTV Profit affirms its market leadership with a share of 52.9 per cent compared to CNBC’s 47.1 per cent in the above mentioned market.
NDTV director Sameer Manchanda attributes the success of the channel to its strong content and distribution. His claim: Profit has a reach almost twice that of CNBC.
CNBC-TV18, however, claims it continues to hold leadership position in its core audience group. Says CNBC TV 18 vice-president sales and marketing B Saikumar, “In our core audience, which is SEC A, B 25+ males, we are bigger than even NDTV 24×7 in all days and day parts. The TG that NDTV Profit has mentioned is not our TG and hence this claim doesn’t faze us.”
Commenting on the reach of Profit, Saikumar says a free-to-air channel would obviously have that advantage. That is a part of our business strategy, an NDTV official counters. “Our aim is to get maximum eyeballs and maximum reach. At the end of the day, delivery is what matters.”
Looks like a war has been declared. Stay tuned for more on the same front.
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.
