News Broadcasting
MAX to present new on-air look 26 January
It’s got the look. A peek at the new face that Max, the digital movies and events channel from the Sony Entertainment stable, will be presenting to the world at 7 am on Republic Day (26 January) certainly corroborates that.
Speaking to the media during what could be called a coming out party, Rajat Jain, executive vice-president and business head, MAX, said there would be a renewed focus on building the Max brand as a separate entity rather than as an adjunct of SET. The restructuring process that was undertaken last year had split SET and Max into two business units to give each channel the requisite focus, Jain said.
The aim is to build up Max for the future for which there will be adequate investment pumped in, Jain said, adding that once the new look channel went on air there would be some changes in the MAX logo and elements for all promotables like Maha Movie and Mera Movie, for instance, plus elements like promo end pages, menu pages, lower thirds, new packaging audio, etcetera.
Queried on what the channel proposed to do with its cricket property (Max has the rights to cricket played in Bangladesh for the next six years), Jain said they would be utilising it but stressed that movies would be the main focus.
Though Jain refused to get drawn into a discussion on whether Max would phase out cricket from its itinerary it is clear that Max is positioning itself as a movies and events channel rather than a movies and cricket one as was earlier the case.
Detailing what went into the new look of the channel, Jain said: Under the supervision of the channel’s creative team, the new look has been executed by the top notch, International award winning design house, Belief which bagged a pitch that was open to seven other reputed international design houses from the USA and UK. Belief did the creatives on the new look that SET went in for at the end of last year as well.
Jain says: “We have spent close to six months in conceiving and executing our new look. And I believe that all the time, and the quarter of a million dollars we invested in the project, has been well worth the effort.
Jain added that his team was working on a programming schedule that would be clued in to the needs of both the advertiser and the viewer which would be ready by March.
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.
