News Broadcasting
Sky’s revenues rise to ?1,511m in 2002
LONDON: Sky Digital subscriptions will touch its yearend target of 7 million, as per the latest results announced by the company.
By the end of December 2002, the number of subscribers to the service stood at 6,562,000, coming from a total increase of 244,000 in the quarter, says a digitalsky report. The company’s total revenue for the period was ?1,511 million, composed mainly by a strong ?1,112 million total from Sky Digital revenues.
Sky CEO Tony Ball was quoted as saying: “Double digit revenue growth combined with tight control of costs has resulted in strong margin expansion driving significant and rapidly growing free cash flow. We are well on track to hit all of our targets and we look forward to the rest of the year with confidence.”
The report states that the percentage of the subscribers taking the top tier ‘Sky World’ package rose impressively to 55 per cent.
Takers of the ‘Extra Digibox’ offer were up over 50 per cent, an increase of 42,000 to 117,000, whilst Sky+ subscribers rose 27,000 to 65,000.
At 9.4 per cent, the proportion of subscribers leaving the service, over the six month period ended 31 December 2002 was the lowest since the launch of Sky Digital in 1998.
The crucial ARPU figure for the quarter, measuring the average total a subscriber will spend on the service in a year, was reported as ?351, a ?3 rise on the previous quarter, says the digital sky report.
Interactive revenues showed signs of stagnation, despite the higher number of subscribers. The total interactive revenues, composed from both Sky Active revenues and betting revenues, held still at ?91 million. Whilst Sky Active revenues were up to ?48m, they were met with a balancing decline in betting revenues to ?43m.
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.
