News Broadcasting
Asia increasingly buying into French animation
SAINT-TROPEZ: Vive la France! That’s a message that is finding an increasing number of listeners in Asia Pacific. At least if one goes by the figures of French television programming exports released by the French television producers association TVFI, The Institute National de l’Audiovisuel (INA), and the Centre national de la cin�matographie (CNC) at the Rendez-Vous 2002 organised by TVFI in Saint-Tropez in the south of France on 10 September.
These rose by 32 per cent in 2001 from 8.2 million Euros to 10.2 million euros in 2000. Japanese broadcasters accounted for 40.3 per cent of these sales, China for 10.4 per cent, while Australia and New Zealand chipped in with 9.9 per cent.
Singapore, India and other countries grabbed 13.4 per cent of the exports, South Korea 8.8 per cent while Indonesia did 3.8 per cent. Asian broadcasters exported more fictional programming than Central European broadcasters accounting for a 15.5 per cent share of the pie, which was led by West Europe (49.4 per cent) and North America (8.2 per cent).
Asia also had a large part of French documentary acquisitions with a 14.1 per cent share in a genre segment that was once again led by west Europe (59.8 per cent), North America (8.9 per cent). West Europe accounted for 76.6 per cent of French animation exports, north America for 11.9 per cent and Asia for 4.2 per cent. “French animation is finding increasing buyers in Asia. Acquisitions by broadcasters are rising at a fast clip,” says TVFI executive director Mathieu Bejot. Amongst the Asian countries that figured prominently in the buyers list are Japan, China, and South Korea.
While the appetite for French television productions in Asia has been on the rise, sales on the whole declined by 2.1 per cent from 129.3 million euros in 2000 to 126.7 million Euros in 2001. There was however, a rise in of 21.8 per cent in pre-sales and co-productions from 171.2 million Euros to 208.5 million Euros. “We have had these results at a time when the economy and television companies have been having rough ride,” says TVFI president Jean-Louis Guillaud. “Post 11 September in 2001 everyone has been having a tough time.”
That tough time is likely to continue in 2002 too. “The first six months trend has been a little slow. We will have to wait till MIP TV to see if the market for programming acquisitions picks up,” says Bejot. “However, it’s a long term perspective we have on the business.”
Bejot adds that TVFI is considering making a push for French television programming in India in the coming year through special meets between potential Indian buyers and French animation producers and are also inviting the latter to showcase their programmes in India.
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.
