News Broadcasting
Star gets crucial cable presence in the east with stake in RPG Netcom
Getting the ground in order goes more than a long way in pushing through new subscription packages as well as in ramping up connectivity numbers. Star India has just added another significant piece to its armory on that score with its acquisition of a 26 per cent equity stake in RPG Netcom Ltd, the Goenka Group’s multisystem operator that controls over 75 per cent of Kolkata’s cable-connected households.
An official announcement regarding the alliance is expected in the next few days.
An indication that something was cooking between Star India and RPG Netcom was evidenced at the beginning of the year itself when the Rupert Murdoch network announced its new monthly subscription package of Rs 40.50. There was nary a whimper from the MSO, a far cry from 2001 beginning which saw Star off the air for 62 days when it announced a Rs 30 subscription rate.
Business daily The Financial Express reported today that Star has already signed an agreement with RPG Netcom whereby it will pay around Rs 520 million for the 26 per cent share in the MSO.
With the addition of RPG Netcom, Star now has three major MSOs under its control. This includes Hathway Cable & Datacom, in which Star officially has a 26 per cent stake, and Win Cable, an almost wholly owned subsidiary of Hathway.
Hathway has a significant presence in Bangalore and Mumbai while Win is very strong in Delhi. RPG’s coming under the Star wing gives the network strong leverage in all the main metros except Chennai, where DMK scion Kalanithi Maran’s Sumangali Cable Vision (cable arm of the Sun Network) holds complete control.
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.
