News Broadcasting
Marathi news vies for a larger share of the pie
MUMBAI: It’s a small rise, but a significant one for regional channels out to prove their mettle in an increasingly crowded market.
Despite the rise in the number of news channels in the last one year, Marathi channels have managed a slight growth in viewership shares during the time news bulletins were aired.
While the increase may be a negligible one per cent from a 77 per cent share in the last quarter of 2003 to 78 per cent in the first quarter of 2004, it has come at the cost of prominent players like Aaj Tak and Star News.
Alpha Marathi, which stepped up its news coverage from mid 2003 has gained the most – from a nine per cent share in late 2003, it has grown to 12 per cent, while ETV Marathi, the pioneer in the hourly news bulletins, has in fact, lost a tiny share by slipping to 28 per cent share from 29 per cent. DD Sahyadri, which continues to command the largest viewership for news bulletins in Maharashtra, too lost share – from its commanding position of 39 per cent share to 38 per cent.
Interestingly, although the state is yet to spawn regional news channels unlike in the south, regional news takes the largest chunk of viewership. The remaining 20 -22 per cent of news viewership is shared by Hindi news channels, among whom only NDTV India has picked up share in Maharashtra – from 3 to 4 per cent and Zee News that has picked up from 2 to 3 per cent.
Among overall channel shares, however, the Marathi channels have a long way to climb. In spite of slicked up programming, reigning entertainment channel Star Plus has held its own and increased its channel share from 44 to 46 per cent in Maharashtra, when compared with Marathi channels in Q1 2004 as against Q4 2003. The losers have been Sony Entertainment Television which fell from 18 to 16 per cent and Sahara Manoranjan that lost channel share from seven to four per cent. The Doordarshan run Sahyadri has not benefited from the general good fortune favouring Marathi channels however, and has stayed steady at a five per cent share in the two time periods compared.
Interestingly, even though viewership of Marathi channels did dip during the India Pakistan cricket series, the loss of viewership, even though it indicates a fondness for the sport among Maharashtrian viewers, was not very significant.
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.
