News Broadcasting
Star Gold launches ‘Gold Premiere’
MUMBAI: It’s been a very good year for Star Gold, so far. Or so they claim. The Hollywood dubbed movies feat aside, the movie channel is looking at firming up its line up with new innovations like the Pepsi Gold Sabse Favourite Kaun, and the latest one Gold Premiere.
Having charted a good course for itself this year as well, the movie channel says it is ready to train its guns against the big guns. Channel shares, according to Tam data, have grown over 54 per cent this year.
Besides the new programming initiative, the next big dubbed movie to premier on the channel will be the Russell Crowe blockbuster Gladiator.
Source: TAM, Channel Shares, C&S 4+, Wk 21-24 of 2003 & 2004,
Hindi Speaking Markets (as applicable for the period Wk21-24/03)
Gold Premiere is a tie-up with movie makers to enable viewers to watch a full 15 minutes of the film, prior to its release in theatres. According to Star India senior VP content and communications Deepak Segal, “The attempt is to come up with a curtain raiser that is bigger than a trailer or a preview of the film.”
Starting this week on Thursday, 8 July at 8 pm, the first movie to be shown is the Salman Khan starrer Garv. Star Gold has tied up with the film as its official TV partner for promotions on the channel.
Besides enabling the viewers to watch 15 minutes of the film one day before it is released in theatres, the half hour weekly will also have Shilpa Shetty and Arbaaz Khan – Salman’s co-stars in the film – anchoring the show and offering some information about the film, without revealing the climax of course.
In a bid to popularise the band, the channel has organised a contest too. The winners will win tickets for the star-studded Sunday premiere by sending an SMS to 7827. While the contest is will be on air from 1 to 7 July, Star Gold will also present Proud 2B Salman – a Salman Khan Film Festival from 5 to 9 July everyday at 4:30 pm. The films that will be screened during this festival are Hello Brother on 5 July, Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge on 6 July, Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya on 7 July, Biwi No. 1 on 8 July and Auzaar on 9 July.
The next movie titles for the Gold Premier are Rajiv Rai’s Asambhav and Tarzan – The Wonder Car.
Source: TAM, Base: C&S 4+, Week 1/2003 to Wk 24/2004
Channel Shares, Hindi Speaking Markets
With the addition of the new programming initiatives, the channel hopes to build on the success of its earlier launches like the Sunday afternoon countdown show Startoons, Maya and award show PSGSFK. “We received about 450,000 entries for the contest around PGSFK. It became as popular because I think we offered something different to the audience that has been satiated with the usual award shows,” offered a company spokesperson.
Whether the line up can combat the powerful competition is a matter for speculation. But the channel sure has come a long way from it’s struggling for a recall status days.
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.
