News Broadcasting
ESS renews deal for English Premier League
MUMBAI: Sports broadcaster, ESPN Star Sports (ESS) has extended its multi-year agreement with the FA Premier League of England (FAPL). It will deliver the English Premier League (EPL) across Asia..
The broadcaster also announced that it will double its coverage of the League over the next three seasons starting from August 2004. Ten matches will be shown each competition week instead of the current five. Most of them will air live.
The remaining match will be on a quick turnaroundbasis. All matches will be supported with a line up of programming covering predictions, highlights, news and information, as well as pre and post game analysis. Under the new broadcast agreement ESS will deliver EPL programming to all but two of the markets within its 25-country footprint including India, China, Thailand, Taiwan.
As reported a few days earlier by indiantelevoision.com the broadcaster had acquired an Asian football rights package through the Asian Football Confederation. The EPL is seen in over 150 million homes on ESS. Eight out of 10 people with cable in Asia tuning in weekly to watch the drama of the EPL. While Asias sizeable out of home audience remains unmeasured by in-home Peoplemeter measurements, research indicates that 64 per cent watch the EPL outside their homes every week. EPL matches on ESS continue to be the top programme on cable, rating 10 times better than the best programme on all other cable channels.
ESS MD Rik Dovey said, “In the three seasons were been broadcasting the League, its audience ratings for the top LIVE matches in Singapore and other territories have trebled on our network. We look forward to further growth over the next three years. I am sure that our clients and viewers will appreciate the expanded coverage and enjoyment of the game we will bring.”
“The EPL goes along with our newly acquired exclusive FA package of football rights, UEFA Champions League, the Asian Football packages, in some territories the Euro 2004 and Spanish Primera Liga. Our content includes NBA basketball, international cricket, the Masters, British and US Open golf majors, Australian, Wimbledon and US Open tennis grand slam tournaments, Major League Baseball, snooker and daily sports news.”
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.
