News Broadcasting
Star TV moves in close to acquiring 25% in Hathway
News TV India Ltd, the Indian arm of Rupert Murdoch-owned Star TV, is all set to acquire a 25% stake in Rajan Raheja-owned cable network, Hathway Cable & Datacom Private Ltd.
A formal announcement to this effect is expected to be made by Star officials next week.
With this deal, Star TV would have its long standing need of owning a cable distribution network, completed. With its rival channel Zee Telefilms owning its own cable network, Siti Cable, Star felt the serious need to strengthen its distribution platform.
Hathway is one of the leading MSO (multi system operator) in India with a substantial share of consumers in the cable distribution business. The other leading MSO’s in the country are Siti Cable, owned Zee Telefilms, and Hinduja, owned IN CableNet.
Having gained access to the cable distribution network, Star can also go ahead with its convergence plans and other plans for the Internet sector. It has already set up a new media division to look into broadband, convergence and other Internet related services in the country.
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.
