News Broadcasting
Combination of brand, process and team the real superstar: MK Anand
MUMBAI: The year is coming to an end on a satisfying note for the Times Network. 2017 threw up several challenges right from the start of the year with demonetisation, top-level changes in the editorial team and the tough competition between Times Now and the newly launched rival Republic TV, run by the Times’ former iconic anchor Arnab Goswami.
The two big events at the Times Network this year were the rebranding of ET Now from a full-time business news channel to a general news channel and the launch of Mirror Now. The former has broad-based itself beyond 5 pm in a bid to offer holistic news for business.
Times Network CEO & MD MK Anand says the channel has had a good streak lately. “It’s indeed a very satisfying December at the end of an eventful year with multiple challenges and multiple high points. The top-level change in Times Network’s editorial team last year pleasantly cascaded into a series of structural corrections unleashing innovation, synergy, asset optimisation and the sheer release of creative energy. The results are there for the world to see,” he says.
He highlights that digital will be a major thrust area for Times Now next year. Furthermore, the channel shifted its editorial team to Delhi in the second half of 2017 in order to centralise news operations.
Anand says that Times Now kept its primacy intact with style. “In spite of some desperate stunts by competition, India’s No 1 English news channel majestically marched along. Not once missing step,” he states. In the midst of the news hullabaloo, it launched and stabilised Times Now HD. “With that, we effectively proved that the combination of brand, process and team is the real superstar,” he adds.
For ET Now, the channel came up with an exciting developmental debate concept. The concept puts a new responsibility on the team to focus on areas that lead to India’s growth and give direction to the economy.
The same team, using almost entirely in-house resources, gave birth to Mirror Now in the middle of the battleground that 2017 was. The new channel climbed up the charts and carved a clear and differentiated niche for itself with reach/ viewership comparable with other major English news brands. It has also thrown up an extremely promising primetime star. “Mirror Now’s steady growth will upset the order in 2018 and I look forward to it being India’s second rank English news brand,” he adds.
Anand expects the news genre to be more active and exciting in 2018. “And with better market conditions, now that GST and demonetisation are behind us, the overall English and news space is poised for a truly great ride through the new year,” he predicts.
Also read:
Times Network hosts Digital India Summit and Awards 4.0
Times Now leadership continues, new launches notwithstanding, says MK Anand
ET Now revamps to offer both, business and general news
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.
