News Broadcasting
DD1 still leads in overall viewership, Prasar Bharati points out to I&B ministry
NEW DELHI: So you thought national broadcaster Doordarshan was a pushover? Data says otherwise. Between 9-11 pm in all TV homes on all days among viewers over 4 years of age, DD1 or National registered the highest TV rating points (TRPs) of 6.5 as well as audience share of 25.5, according to TAM data for the week ended 29 June, 2002. DD National was followed by Star Plus.
In cable and satellite homes, however, Star Plus and Sony commanded higher TRPs and audience share, while the share of DD1 in C&S homes was only 2.4.
Between 7 am and 11 pm in all TV homes on all days amongst viewers of four years and above DD1 and DD2 or DD Metro registered the highest TRPs as well as audience share. Star Plus was the other leading channel.
In C&S homes, for this time period, Star Plus was, however, the leader in terms of TRPs and audience share as compared to other satellite channels.
The figures have been compiled by TAM and have been forwarded to the ministry of information and broadcasting by the Prasar Bharati only recently to highlight the performance of DD.
And if you thought that where news is concerned DD still clings to the umbilical cord, then media planners and advertisers may start thinking again. Figures say a different story altogether.
In all TV homes between 8-9 pm, DD1 commanded the highest TRP of 2.9 as well as audience share of 14.1 amongst all news channels amongst viewers of 15 years and above. The data forwarded to the ministry by Prasar Bharati says, “In C&S homes also DD1 performed better as compared to other private satellite news channels.”
In the news category during the aforementioned time in all homes, according to the TAM data, Aaj Tak had a TRP of 0.1 and audience share of 0.47, Zee News had a TRP of 0.06 and audience share of 0.28 while Star News came in third with a TRP of 0.04 and audience share of 0.2.
The TAM data was based on a feedback from 27 cities.
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.
