News Broadcasting
Spike TV to take awards shows to the next level
NEW YORK: It is Game Over for traditional awards shows. Viacom’s all male network Spike TV presents the first annual Video Game Awards (VGAs) from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
This unprecedented and non-traditional awards show hosted by actor/comedian David Spade Just Shoot Me will celebrate the many accomplishments of the past year in video gamedom. It will also look to the future of games in 2004 and beyond. The show premieres on Spike TV on 4 December.
Spike TV president Albie Hecht added, “The VGAs celebrate those games that have blistered our fingers poised on the joystick and kept us up all night. We are throwing out all the boring and stagnant elements of traditional awards shows and focusing on what matters — the characters, game play, animation, music and performances that have made an impact on the video game community throughout the past year.”
In a major departure from the norm the VGAs will not feature podiums, presenters and long, boring acceptance speeches. The VGAs will replace drawn-out presenter-reading-prompter segments with advocate introductions. These advocates are fans of the nominated video game, and that can mean a celebrity, musician or actual character featured within the game itself.
As advocates they can bash and/or brag all they want in support of their game. This will immediately be followed by an intimate look at the nominated game itself. When winners are announced, the awards will come to the Winners Circle of tables where celebrity toastmasters will offer boasts and roasts to the newly minted winners.
Awards in 16 wide-ranging categories will be presented in the culmination of Spike TVs first annual Video Game Awards. Nominees and winners of Spike TVs VGAs are tallied from gaming industry experts, public opinion via Spike TVs website (www.spiketv.com) and Spike TVs editorial board. Some of the categories are Game of Year; Best Sports Game; Best Action Game; Best Animation; Best Driving Game; Best Game Based on a Movie.
The VGAs will take place in a futuristic setting reminiscent of what was seen in the Tom Cruise blockbuster Minority Report. The show will seamlessly blend real and animated worlds into a dynamic show presentation. Nominee presentations will combine cinematic animation sequences to intercut with actual game play performed by top-notch game players.
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.
