News Broadcasting
Zee News locks in on daytime viewers
NEW DELHI: Hindi news channels Zee News may not rank very high on the “media noise” quotient but that is not to say it is out of the reckoning in the ratings stakes.
Quoting recent TAM data, an official release claims that daytime viewers spent more time on Zee News than on its rivals (source TAM week ending 12 June, All India, TG C&S AB Male 25+, TB – 6 am to 5:59 p.m.). In terms of channel shares Zee News is ahead of NDTV, Star News and DD News, the release states.
Zee News’ coverage of planet Venus’ rare transit across the sun – Shukra Hai Suraj Hai, made it the first choice of the viewers with a leading channel share of 3.84, ahead of Aaj Tak (3.64,) Star News (2.7), NDTV India (1.94), Sahara Samay (1.04), DD News (.76) (source TAM 8 June, All India, C&S AB M 25+ TB – 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.), the release states.
As regards the venus transit, Zee News asserts leadership in time spends as well. Viewers spent 27 minutes on Zee News as against Star News’ 18 minutes, Aaj Tak’s 16 Minutes, NDTV India’s 13 Minutes and DD News’ 11 minutes. Zee News covered the Venus transit from a specially created studio, with reporting from across the country including the observatory in Nainital and from Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi and other regional centers, the release says.
Among the channel’s other big stories was anchor Ashok Singhal’s exclusive interview with former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee that led to a churning within the BJP. Zee News also claims to have had the lead on its rivals vis-a-vis its coverage of last week’s Matsyagandha Express rail tragedy.
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.
