News Broadcasting
BBC Worldwide finds co-production partner in Italy
MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide has made inroads into the co-production arena in Italy through an agreement with broadcaster Mediaset for the docu-drama Supervolcano.
It is the largest co-production deal the commercial consumer arm of the BBC has ever signed with an Italian co-producer for a non-fiction programme and the first one with Mediaset. In additition to Mediaset, ProSieben and the Discovery Channel are also co-producers for this dramatised account of an apocalyptic volcanic eruption that will happen one day.
The reality-based thriller exploring the impact of the eruption of a giant supervolcano that is actually simmering beneath American Yellowstone Park. The docu-drama will play an important role in Mediaset’s plans to develop Rete 4 along a strategy based on events programming.
BBC Worldwide’s commercial director India, Europe, Middle East, and Africa, Anita Davison, commented: “We see the agreement with Mediaset for Supervolcano as the first major step to grow our co-production business in Italy. Mediaset is a perfect fit for Supervolcano and represents a promising intensification of the partnership we have had with them for a long time.”
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.
