News Broadcasting
Aaj Tak announces hike in Ad Rates
MUMBAI: Aaj Tak raises the bar on performance, and on monetisation! Come this September, 2018, the number one news channel for the last 17 years recalibrated its rates after indexing inventory and latest leadership performance across parameters.
In the latest few weeks Aajtak has seen tremendous upside with stories like Vajpayee ji’s demise, Kerala Floods, Independence Day among others setting the nations agenda. During the period of three days 15th to 17th August, the heightened news environment helped Aaj Tak cross even leading Hindi GECs channels like Star plus, Zee TV, Colors & Sony TV on Coverage . (Source: BARC, TG:15+,Mkt:HSM, TB:0200-2600 Hrs, Period: 15th Aug to 17th Aug’18,Cov’000s)
Aaj Tak has always enjoyed highest market share and viewership numbers in its category almost every week this year. In fact, it is the only channel with 25 crore monthly viewers in the news category.
(Source: BARC, TG:2+,Mkt:HSM,Period:W29’18-W32’18,Cov in Cr)
On market share in 15+ HSM, Latest 4 weeks Aaj tak has 45% Mkt Share Margin over no.2 Channel ( Source: BARC,TG:15+,Mkt: HSM,TB:0200-2600 Hrs, Period: 2018,4 weeks -21st July’18-17 Aug’18,Shr% Based on 12 channels)
Rahul Shaw, CRO , TV Today summarized,”Given its unchallenged viewership and unparalleled following, Aaj Tak is now strategically looking at lowering inventory and compensating it with a premium pricing. With leadership across hsm, all india, urban, rural, coverage and prime time and almost a quarter of news viewership with only one news channel on big news time bands, it is important that the leader helps the genre improve yields “
Group CEO , India Today Group, Vivek Khanna adds, “The most influential news brand of the country has been a role model for many to follow. Truth , integrity & unconventional methods of news reporting really leave no competition in sight. The no1 news channel is also India’s no.1 news Facebook page, is global no1 news channel on Youtube by subscribers, is no1 Hindi news website, no1 hindi news twitter handle and no.1 Hindi news app. To top it, it is not just India’s no1 news channel, it is India’s no1 TV channel on IRS—hence the campaign-“Aajtak ka muqabla koi no2 se nahi, sirf aajtak se hai”
Rahul Shaw adds, “With lower inventory levels, every ad on the channel will get better uncluttered visibility, a better ROI and hence more effective use of ad spends. There is a rollout plan for innovative ad options that will be global firsts. In keeping with the reputation, Aajtak will redefine the value news can unlock for viewers and advertisers “
Here are some records held by Aaj Tak
• India’s No. 1 Hindi news channel for past 17 years- the only news channel with more than 25 crore viewers monthly
· India’s No.1 TV Channel – Source: IRS 2017
• World’s No. 1 YouTube News Channel with 9 million subscribers (Source : Socialbakers)
• India’s No. 1 News Facebook Page with 21 million page likes (Source : Facebook)
• India’s No. 1 Hindi News Twitter Handle with 7 million followers (Source : Twitter)
• Aaj Tak has 2 times more viewership than the No. 2 Hindi News channel (Source- IRS 2017, Most Watched Television)
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.
