News Broadcasting
Rain fails to dampen Max’ buoyant Indo-Pak match ratings
MUMBAI: The recently concluded Videocon Cup may have been an overall damp squib but has worked wonders for Max.
The second and decisive half of the first match (9 pm to 11.30 pm) between India and Pakistan played on 21 August got ratings of 8.3 in the C&S 4+ Hindi-speaking markets, according to Tam data. As a result, the channel went straight to the 10th position on the Tam ratings chart in the above mentioned market.
Speaking on the same, Max business head N P Singh said, “Despite the rain and a five-hour delay in the start of the Indo-Pak match, Max delivered 6.9 TVRs (average) amongst all individuals across all C&S homes across all India as surveyed by Tam.”
In the major metros, Mumbai pegged a high of 11.3 TVRs, while Kolkata and Delhi turned in 9.55 and 9.52 respectively.
“What is especially noteworthy is that female viewership delivered an unprecedented 5.3 TVRs for the match. Female viewership in key metros was 8.3 in Mumbai, 9.2 in Delhi and 7.6 in Kolkata,” added Singh.
In comparison, on DD1 the same match got ratings of 2.6 in the time slot 9 pm to 11.15 pm in the C&S 4+ Hindi-speaking markets according to Tam data as the channel stood in the 68th spot among the top 100 shows. Hence, Max was ahead of DD1 across all India in the Hindi-speaking markets. Also notable is the fact that in the non C&S 4+ Hindi-speaking market, DD1’s telecast of the match stood in the 6th position with TVRs of 21.6 in the same time slot.
Across all India markets, Max pegged 6.9 against DD’s 1.92; in the Hindi speaking markets, Max fared even better, averaging a TVR of 8.83 against DD’s 1.91, while in the top 4 metros, Max pegged 7.85 against DD’s 1.67, and in the top 6 metros, Max ratings were 8.87 while DD’s were recorded at 1.59.
An official release from Max informed that in a single match telecast, Max reached out to 27.6 million individuals in C&S homes across India, which is approximately 32 per cent of the total universe of 85.5 million individuals.
“Overall, this performance is an excellent lead-in to the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2004 in England, which is undoubtedly the world’s biggest ODI (one day internationals) Cricket tournament in 2004, and where Max will showcase its popular Extraaa Innings in full strength,” said Singh.
Max, which has already unveiled it’s ad campaign with Mandira Bedi for Extraaa Innings will bare it’s plans for the ICC Champions Trophy tomorrow (1 September) at a media do.
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.
