News Broadcasting
DD offers to share DTT kitty with satellite channels
Doordarshan has decided to offer digital transmission television (DTT) platform to private satellite channels in the coming weeks.
After a hiatus of nearly two years, the public broadcaster commenced a pilot DTT project in Delhi last month, and plans to roll out similar facilities in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata shortly, according to a report in the Financial Express. Quoting Prasar Bharati CEO Anil Baijal, the report says that the pubcaster will be sending out an open invitation for partnerships in the next few weeks. “These partners could be broadcasters and even data transmission service providers,” Baijal has said.
The channels that partner with DD will now have an option to bypass the cable op and beam high quality programmes to TV sets. The sets would however need to be fitted with decoders. The government has ordered nearly 100 decoder prototypes from Himachal Futuristic Communications Limited (HFCL), Baijal has been quoted as saying. Besides offering better picture quality, DTT would mean better use of spectrum and would allow Internet access in addition to other value added services, according to the official. Baijal feels the DTT platform could gradually be offered to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) as well.
A business model will be worked out once the satellite channels wishing to partner DD are identified. Meanwhile, Prasar Bharati is drawing up plans for a phased rollout of DTT across the country. Bangalore and Pune are next on the launch map, according to Baijal. The next few years would see a transition phase in which analogue terrestrial transmission will co-exist with DTT.
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.
