News Broadcasting
‘Extraaa Innings’ opens with a rating of 3.1
MUMBAI: The ratings for the opening ceremony of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 have come in, and Extraaa Innings, the cricket related programme on MAX, has opened with a rating of 3.1 reaching 5.23 million viewers.
A press release quotes MAX executive vice president and business head Rajat Jain, currently in Johannesburg, South Africa, as saying: “I am glad to announce that right from the word go, MAX’s Cricket presentation has been a huge success with viewers. Extraaa Innings has opened with a rating of 3.1. This translates into a cumulative reach of 5.23 million individuals.” The source is TAM Peoplemeter System and the target audience is C&S homes.
While Extraaa Innings averaged 3.1 across all TAM markets, it soared to a spectacular high of 6.9 in Calcutta and 4 in Mumbai, says the release.
With the opening ceremony, MAX notched a rating of 1.5, while the terrestrial network garnered only 0.1 in the C & S households, adds the release.
MAX’s popular wrap-around programming Extraaa Innings has been equally popular amongst both males and females, delivering a rating of 3.4 amongst all males and 2.7 amongst all females.
“These ratings prove that Extraaa Innings has been hugely popular amongst all viewers,” says Rajat Jain. “What is especially noteworthy is that not just the males, but females too have been drawn to it in huge numbers, proving that Extraaa Innings has appealed to both, the purists and the rest alike. “
However, media sources and viewers have appreciated ESPN-Star Sports programmes such as Follow Through have been appreciated.
It looks as if the long fight has just begin and will end with the final game being played on 23 March 2003.
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.
