News Broadcasting
Race for eyeballs hots up among news channels as polls draw closer
News channels are girding their loins as they get ready to fight for viewership during the assembly elections in four states scheduled this month.
While Sahara has already announced elaborate coverage plans, Aaj Tak, the channel that claims the top slot among news channels, too has unveiled a meticulous strategy it plans to deploy to ensure the best poll coverage.
The channel has devised a comprehensive strategy to bring the assembly live to the nation, say officials. Dubbed Aap Ka Faisla, the coverage has started on 24 January and will continue till counting culminates on 24 February.
According to the channel, the election programming initiative has been split into three parts. The pre-election coverage will encompass the campaigns and will cover factors that could influence the elections, through a half hour programme titled Voton Ka Bandar Bant, to be aired daily between 10:30 and 11 pm. The programme includes a psephological analysis and includes a pre poll survey done for the channel by C-Voter. Anchor Gaurav Banerjee and C-Voter’s Yashwant Deshmukh, along with expert panels comprising Prabhu Chawla and other invitees will analyse the scenario on the basis of historical data. This will include regional trends, caste break-up and political parties involved. Aaj Tak has also created an exclusive Election Room for the purpose where all data are being explained with the help of maps and graphics, say channel sources.
The second phase will involve the actual election day coverage as well as the exit polls on 13, 14, 18 and 21 February. Chunav Ke Rang, a half hour programme, will attempt to convey the livelier aspects of the entire election exercise, including interviews with chief ministers, past and present, young aspirants in the fray and will touch upon subjects like the entry of criminals in politics, giving viewers an insight into the political games and strategies. The channel is also running a special profile section called Maharathi, which will profile the political careers of some of the key players in the fray.
On the day of the results, the channel will run a round-the-clock programme subtitled Chunav Ke Akhare Se. Studio guests, five OB vans placed at strategic locations and graphics for trends and results will be employed to make the live coverage interesting. The channel, a part of the India Today group well known for its indepth election coverage, has 12 complete units at important locations along with five OB vans; apart from the existing Aaj Tak bureau offices to cover the elections live. Satellite and landline connections are being put to maximum use, says the channel.
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.
