News Broadcasting
India TV asserts 80% C&S penetration in Hindi belt
NEW DELHI: India TV, the 24-hour news channel promoted by Rajat Sharma, is now reaching 19 million homes in the Hindi belt. With this wide distribution, India TV has achieved an 80 per cent penetration in cable and satellite households in the Hindi belt.
The distribution network looks commendable as the channel has not even begun expanding its distribution network in southern India.
With increasing efforts going behind distribution every week, the last two months has witnessed two to three per cent growth in penetration. The Hindi belt has especially shown a wide acceptance for India TV. As per Tam’s connectivity report, in the last month, improvements in connectivity have ensured that India TV’s presence in the vital P, C and S bands is better than that of other news channels, an official statement from India TV claimed.
In markets like Maharashtra and Kolkata (C&S penetration of 77 per cent), India TV has a stronger presence in these bands than Star News, while it outscores Zee News in Maharashtra and Rajasthan (C&S penetration of 80.8 per cent). In Gujarat, the channel has recorded a C&S penetration of 53.4 per cent and in Madhya Pradesh the channel has recorded a C&S penetration of 80.7 per cent. Overall, India TV is available to at least 75 to 80 per cent of C&S households, the statement added.
Commenting on the response received by the distribution team, Sharma said, “It is very encouraging to have managed successfully to implement our strategy, especially through the 100 per cent penetration in most parts of the Hindi belt. The distribution success stands testament to the fact that our unbiased news reporting and international methods of news gathering are being appreciated by viewers.”
Elaborating on the distribution success, Arun Poddar, vice-president (distribution), India TV, said, “In major towns of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, India TV has managed a 100 per cent distribution of both head ends and C&S households. Today, nearly 19 million C&S households in the Hindi belt receive our channel.”
From this month the focus would be on increasing the distribution in south India.
India TV has a distribution agreement with Dish TV, which has 150,000 subscribers. Under the terms of the agreement, Dish TV will receive exclusive rights to distribute the channel on its DTH platform
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.
