News Broadcasting
ITF claims promising TV figures for Davis Cup
MUMBAI: The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has announced that the eight first round ties of the 2004 Davis Cup competition attracted encouraging television numbers from around the world. The event took place from 7-9 February.
ITF’s television department was able to secure coverage of the competiton in 15 of the 16 World Group nations, and the selected ‘feature’ tie – Czech Republic v Spain – was distributed across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. In India, the Davis Cup action airs on DD Sports.
Spain’s pubcaster TVE registered around 1.5 million viewers during the fifth and deciding rubber between Radek Stepanek and Rafael Nadal in the Spain v Czech Republic tie, and averaged over one million viewers for the three days. Not surprisingly, the Aussies tuned in large numbers to watch their side take on Sweden in Adelaide. The event aired on Channel 7. The crucial doubles rubber on Saturday between Wayne Arthurs/Todd Woodbridge and Jonas Bjorkman/Joachim Johansson attracted a 64 per cent and 56 per cent market share in Melbourne and Sydney respectively.
Holland’s NOS gained a very healthy 59.7 per cent market share during its highlights transmission of the Netherlands vs Canada tie. An official release adds that viewership of this round of the competition was not solely restricted to World Group action, with the ITF also securing promising coverage for the Zonal groups. TVN in Chile welcomed a 30 per cent market share average during its coverage of the Peru v Chile Americas Zone Group I tie.
A Davis Cup highlights programme, produced by TWI for the first time, was also sold to 16 broadcasters. Sports programmes TransWorld Sport and Gillette World Sports Special included Davis Cup material in their programming.
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.
