News Broadcasting
Turner spruces Pogo to meet competition
MUMBAI: It’s time to gear up for competition, existing and imminent. Pogo, the five month old children’s channel from Turner, is ready with phase II of its programming.
Pre-production of five half hour live action shows has already commenced, and the channel has sounded out seven domestic production houses for concepts for original shows. According to Turner International India MD Anshuman Misra, a crack team of professionals to oversee the creative work has already been put into place.
Among Pogo’s ambitious localisation initiatives is a decision to ramp up its languaging options, dramatically increasing Hindi on the channel. By the end of 2004, 80 per cent of Pogo’s programming will be in Hindi. Currently, Pogo offers two hours of Telugu, but is eyeing Tamil as well.
Pogo, according to Misra, will also introduce an Indianised version of one of the non animated and internationally produced shows already on air on Pogo, and is looking to partner with Indian production houses to remake the show with local talent.
Claming a reach of 15 million cable and satellite homes in India, Pogo has gone a notch higher programming wise by announcing its decision to launch Prime Pogo, a two and half hour block on Fridays that will be anchored by 24 year old Niall Sadh and 22 year old Nisha Lalvani.
Prime Pogo will have its curtain raiser on 28 May, the day the first major acquisition by Turner for Pogo, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, is telecast. Turner has invested heavily in promoting Potter mania, through cable channels, kids’ publications, billboards, emails through kids’ databases as well as below the line activities like flyer s in cinema halls and a contest that allows the winner a chance to visit England.
The Pogo model, according to Misra has worked well in the first few months of its existence, by garnering a reach of 15 million households to Cartoon Network’s 18 million. Derived loosely from the internationally successful Nickelodeon format, Pogo is now flexing its muscles to take on Nick in India, which too has risen from slumber and is armouring its arsenal.
Misra says he would welcome competition, claiming it would help grow the market. For now, of course, he says Pogo’s the way to go.
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.
