News Broadcasting
News18 Kannada ends TV9’s 20-year reign to claim no. 1 spot
MUMBAI: In a landmark moment for Karnataka’s television news ecosystem, News18 Kannada has unseated TV9 Kannada after 20 uninterrupted years at the top. The latest Barc ratings confirm a seismic shift in regional viewership, marking the first time since 2006 that TV9 Kannada has slipped from the no. 1 position.
News18 Kannada clinched the lead with 33,757 AMA 000s, capturing a robust 25.4 percent market share. TV9 Kannada followed closely at 32,937 AMA 000s with a 24.8 percent share. (Source: TG: NCC 15+; Week 46’25: 15–11–2025 to 21–11–2025 vs Week 45’25: 08–11–2025 to 14–11–2025, All)
The breakthrough underscores News18 Kannada’s growing resonance across the state, powered by its quick, reliable and sharply focused journalism. Viewers appear to be gravitating towards channels offering richer ground reporting, deeper local connect and stronger digital integration, signalling what industry observers call a broader “south-side shift” in news consumption behaviour.
With this feat, News18 Kannada joins the wider Network18 regional line-up, which includes strong performers such as News18 Kerala, News18 Tamil Nadu, News18 Gujarati, News18 Lokmat, News18 Bangla and News18 Assam/NE, among others.
The latest ratings not only place News18 Kannada at the peak for the first time in two decades but also confirm a changing tide in Karnataka’s news preferences. For viewers, it signals fresh energy in the regional news race. For the industry, it marks the beginning of a new chapter.
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.
