News Broadcasting
Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) moves SC against HC’s NTO 2.0 verdict
New Delhi: The Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the Bombay high court verdict, which had upheld the constitutionality of the amended New Tariff Order (NTO 2.0) passed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai).
After a legal tussle that lasted over a year, Trai had managed to get a green signal from the court on 30 June on the implementation of amended NTO 2.0 passed in January, 2020. The division bench of the high court stated that the challenge to the constitutional validity of the 2020 rules and regulations of Trai does not hold any water. At the same time, it termed one of the twin conditions “arbitrary”, according to which the maximum retail price of an a-la-carte channel could not be more than one third of the maximum rate of a channel in the bouquet.
The court had passed the judgement on petitions filed by several broadcasters under the umbrella of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) including Zee Entertainment, Star India, TV18, and Sony Pictures Network India (SPN) who had opposed the order, challenged the tariff order and termed it “arbitrary and in violation of their fundamental right.”
According to broadcasters, the new order could lead to a drop in the subscription revenue, especially now, when the industry is reeling under pandemic-induced low advertising revenue. NTO 2.0 has prescribed linkage between a-la-carte price and bouquet, and reduced the price cap on the subscription fees for pay channels. So, TV broadcasters can include a channel in a pack only if it is priced at Rs 12 or less than that. Earlier, this limit was Rs. 19.
The broadcasters only got partial relief when the high court struck down one of the twin conditions relating to the average pricing of a channel in a bouquet terming it as ‘arbitrary’. This will allow broadcasters to increase the number of channels they want to provide in the bouquet and enhance the value delivered to consumers.
According to the condition the a-la-carte rates of each pay channel (MRP), forming part of a bouquet, shall in no case exceed three times the average rate of a pay channel of that bouquet. So, if the maximum price of a channel in a pack was Rs.12, a broadcaster could not charge more than four rupees for an a-la-carte channel.
The high court had also extended its previous interim order, asking Trai not to take any coercive action against the broadcasters, if they did not implement the new tariff order. The order was extended for the next six weeks.
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.
