News Broadcasting
Tdsat hints Zee Turner and Asianet to compromise
NEW DELHI: A three-judge bench at the Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal (Tdsat), while advising the parties concerned to try hammer out a solution between them, fixed another date for hearing the case relating to Zee Turner switching off bouquet to Asianet. The latter had earlier filed a complaint with Trai wherein the regulatory authority directed Zee-Turner to restore the signals to Asianet.
The next date of hearing has been fixed for 16 February.
This implies that a status quo is maintained as Asianet’s cable TV subscribers in parts of South India will have to do without the Zee Turner bouquet consisting of 17-odd channels including Zee TV, Zee News, HBO and Kairali.
Zee-Turner, a distribution joint venture between Zee Telefilms and Time Warner, had appealed to the Tdsat last month on a Trai directive asking it to restore signals to Asianet in Kerala.
The Zee-Turner bouquet has been off from the Asianet cable network since 16 December 2004 due to alleged non-payment of dues amounting to Rs 30 million. The company has also charged Asianet with unauthorised distribution of signals and under-declaration of subscriber base that has resulted in huge financial losses
Though Indiantelevision.com does not have any official word on it, according to sources in both the companies, a settlement may be hammered out. While, reportedly, Asianet has offered a compromise formula, Zee Turner is looking for extracting more out of the settlement if it happens before the next date of hearing at Tdsat.
A broad deal, being worked upon, envisages Asianet paying Rs. 5 million over the next few days with, may be, another package of equivalent amount being paid up at the time of next hearing. This would give Asianet access to the Zee Turner channels again and also time for further negotiations. However, the management of both the companies has to agree to such a deal involving part payment.
What may be a bone of contention is the premier movie channel HBO. Asianet would like to have the channel too as part of the package at earlier rates, which is not being agreed upon by Zee Turner.
Kerala cable TV households connected through Asianet have not been able to watch a slew of channels, including Zee Cinema, Zee TV, Zee English, Cartoon Network, Pogo, CNBC and ZMZ.
The Rajan Raheja-controlled Asianet Satellite Communications Ltd. is the largest cable network services company in Kerala, and is the leading service provider in the region for cable TV and Internet solutions. Its cable network services operate from over 40 centers spread throughout Kerala and touch over half a million homes and establishments.
With a countrywide network of over 400 dealers, Zee-Turner has a wide distribution structure in the country and its bouquet caters to wide genre of programming. The company boasts of a combined viewership of more than 30 million households with an equal spread throughout the country.
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.
