News Broadcasting
Headlines Today claims to be climbing popularity charts
MUMBAI: ‘We are making headlines!’ Or so claims Headlines Today. India Today’s English news channel claims that they have been providing relevant information in a format that is tailor-made to suit the needs of the time conscious viewer and resulting in a fillip in the audience loyalty for the channel.
Quoting the Tam figures for the week 39, Headlines Today claims that they command 35 per cent market share in prime time amongst the English news channels in six metros. The ratings, as quoted in a company release, equals that of NDTV 24X7 and likes of CNN, BBC and CNBC are trailing behind. According to the release, the channel has managed to score an ace over rest owing to their quality news programs, strategically slotted and timed, have climbed their way up the TRP ladder and are giving stiff competition to established channels
The flagship programmes that have helped the channel are Head Start, Top 5, and Sports Quarter, which have emerged leaders in their time-band across other English news channels. While Head Start, slotted in the morning band, provides news to the professional in a compact 15 minute wheel, Top Five Today satiates the viewer by providing the top five developments of the day. Sports Quarter, a fifteen minute program repeated twice a day throughout the week gives news on sports.
According to the release, Head Start has gained popularity as it provides all the news in a compact 15 minute wheel. The prime time programming Top Five Today has helped the channel equal viewership to the India Business Hour on CNBC and the 9 o’clock news on NDTV 24X7. Meanwhile, Sports Quarter’s viewership is equal to combined viewership of NDTV 24X7 and CNBC for the same time slot
In addition to that, Headlines Today has programs designed specially to be aired during the India-Australia series. Cricketing Icons Sourav Ganguly and Shane Warne share their views exclusively in Captain Speak, and Warne’s Spin on select match days. The other programs which have been lined up for the series are Final Frontier and Wisden Show, which has helped the channel solidify its position in the news channel genre.
The channel, claims the release, has many other programming initiatives in the pipeline that are due to roll out in the next one month.
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.
