News Broadcasting
Views-based journalism scores, Sun TV’s Udaya News to cease ops
MUMBAI: Every business and television channel faces competition sooner or later. Competing companies generally bring in better products. But, Udaya News, the first 24×7 Kannada channel that ruled the roost for over 15 years, saw a decline as rival channels presented stories with strong views — a la Arnab Goswami.
Placed at the sixth position among the Kannada-language news channels as per the latest BARC India data, it is on the verge of closure. However, other Sun channels such as Udaya Movies, Udaya TV and Udaya Comedy will continue operations.
Ratings of Udaya News had started declining after a series of news channels came in, in the past few years and the former failed to put up a fight.
Karnataka viewers in the 1990s relied entirely on Doordarshan till Udaya News lauched in 1998; it is now shutting down owing to huge losses. In a letter addressed to the Karnataka government secretary, owner of Udaya News, Sun Network stated that the channel would cease operations on 24 October, and 73 employees would lose their jobs.
Udaya News enjoyed a wonderful viewership till the rise of TV 9 Kannada — the leader today, followed by Public TV and Suvarna News.
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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.
