News Broadcasting
Govt awaits pay channel prices intimation; Siti, Sony to discuss HITS
NEW DELHI: Even as the broadcasters are still in the process of “making up their minds” — as one of them put it — on the pricing of individual channels, SitiCable and Sony are slated to meet tomorrow to discuss such issues as also whether Sony channels would be available for Zee’s headend in the sky (HITS) project.
According to information available with indiantelevision.com, a senior official from India’s information and broadcasting ministry touched base with some broadcasters on the pricing front today, but did not seem to have got any concrete feedback.
Government sources also indicated that the broadcasters may meet up with ministry officials on Wednesday where it is expected that a pricing strategy may be unveiled.
The problem with the government is that it cannot force the broadcasters to intimate it the prices, as the notification on this clearly states that the cable operators have to display the individual prices of the channels, which means that the broadcasters need to inform the cable ops about the pricing and not the government.
Meanwhile, in tomorrow’s meeting between SitiCable and Sony, it is expected that apart from the pricing issue, the issue of HITS and Sony channels being available on the platform would also be thrashed out.
The presence of non-Zee and Turner channels on the HITS platform is important for the Subhash Chandra company to make the project viable and attractive for cable ops too.
Star India in the past has expressed its unwillingness to decide on joining a HITS platform promoted by Zee, even though SitiCable has claimed that Star has not got back to them after the initial parleys.
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.
