News Broadcasting
DD sees Commonwealth Games rights asking price as too high
NEW DELHI: Adding to the fears of the organisers of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games 2006 on the threat of revenue loss, Indian pubcaster Doordarshan has said that it would negotiate cheaper telecast rights through Asian Broadcasting Union (ABU) instead of dealing with a marketing agent, which is “demanding the moon.”
The Commonwealth Games will unveil two new sponsors in the next few days as it confronts threats of a television blackout in Asia, international media reports stated.
Speaking to indiantelevision.com, Prasar Bharati CEO KS Sarma said, “We are not going to negotiate with the marketing agent, though its representatives have met us twice. The agent is asking for the moon for the telecast rights, which we feel can be negotiated at a cheaper rates through ABU.”
Sarma is not only the chief executive of Prasar Bharati, which manages DD and All India Radio, and the president of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation, but is also an important office-bearer of the multi-country apex body ABU, a powerful organisation of Asian broadcasters.
According to Sarma, while for the 2002 Commonwealth Games DD paid approximately $ 200,000, this time the asking price has shot up astronomically to about $ 600,000. Asked whether a situation may arise where DD does not telecast the 2006 Games at all, Sarma refused to comment. India is playing host to the Commonwealth Games in 2010.
Games chairman Ron Walker has been quoted by international media as not being too concerned by suggestions that TV rights have shot up as much as 700 per cent than what was charged for the Manchester 2002 Games and which could result in Indian and Asian broadcasters boycotting Melbourne 2006.
According to Walker, there was no rush to finalise negotiations. “We have put out a price and they’re all considering it, so they haven’t said no to us, they haven’t said yes to us,” ABC radio quoted Walker, who added, “Bear in mind that Delhi in India is hosting the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the transmission is vital to them.”
If the Asian TV networks decided to boycott the Games, media reports stated, it would result in the potential loss of billions of television viewers. Commonwealth Games Minister Justin Madden said he expected the broadcast rights to be resolved over the next six to eight months, well in advance of the Games.
The reports also said that food giant Nestle Peters will be confirmed as a sponsor, a top-level Games partner was expected to be announced on Wednesday. The two announcements should douse some of the criticism the Games organisers have been confronting that they’re struggling to meet their budget and attract sponsorship dollars.
Melbourne 2006 has said that it would have no trouble selling broadcasting rights to Asia despite claims that the asking price was too high. Broadcasting rights have been negotiated so far with the Nine Network in Australia, and with companies in Canada and New Zealand.
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.
