News Broadcasting
Star looking to up distribution numbers on BSkyB with new deal
MUMBAI: Star Plus and Star News look set to get serious a leg-up in their UK distribution numbers.
Come 1 March 2004, Star Plus and Star News will be available to over seven million subscribers of Sky Digital’s Family Pack or Lifestyle Pack without having to pay an additional subscription fee.
Until now, the two channels have been available to Sky subscribers only on an additional fee payment of ?12 a month.
BSkyB and Star announced this today adding that other than widening access to Star Plus and Star News, this move will enable existing Star subscribers to save up to ?144 per year while being able to access 109 entertainment, music, documentary, lifestyle and news TV channels. This also includes three regional radio stations and 11 national radio and audio channels.
“This is great news for advertisers who now have a vehicle to target the largest South Asian TV audience in the UK,” said Star’s UK head of sales Nick Thind.
Star Plus was voted the UK’s Favourite International Channel in the 2002 Scorpio Multimedia Cable TV Awards, according to a company release.
In India, the channel has completed its third year as India’s Number one entertainment channel on cable. Following the re-branding of Star News in April 2003, the channel has doubled its viewership in India, the statement claims.
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.
