News Broadcasting
Cut cable ops’ payout if channel withdrawn from bouquet: Trai
NEW DELHI: Broadcast and cable regulator, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), today said that the charges levied on a cable operator by a broadcaster would get reduced if a TV channel is withdrawn from a particular
bouquet.
Pointing out that certain amendments in an earlier tariff order have been carried out, the regulator said that the changes are being made so that if a broadcaster reduces the number of channels in a bouquet, the ceiling charges of the bouquet will get reduced accordingly.
This means that if HBO, for example, gets out of the One Alliance bouquet, then cable ops and MSOs cannot be charged One Alliances earlier subscription rates, which should be reduced equivalent to the HBO channels cost.
According to Trai, in the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (Second) Tariff Order 2004, reduction in ceiling charges was specified in the second provision of clause three for multi-system and cable operators. This provided reduction in ceiling charges taking into account the rates of similar channels, as on 26 December, 2003, in case of reduction in the number of channels being shown by a MSO or a cable operator.
It is considered that the same principle should also apply in case a broadcaster reduces the number of pay channels being supplied or when a pay channel converts into a free to air channel, Trai has said in an official statement today.
The details of the order can be taken from the regulators website, www.trai.gov.in.
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.
