News Broadcasting
IBN7 to enter entertainment space with ‘Bhabhi Tera Devar Deewana’ from 23 May
MUMBAI: The role of a news channel in today’s era is not just limited to reporting events accurately as they happen. Many channels have now started to break free from this ideology and have entered the entertainment space with various programmes. One such player invading into this space is IBN7. The channel is all geared up to air a unique entertainment show titled Bhabhi Tera Devar Deewana in their afternoon slot every weekday. The show will attract viewers through aspirational stories and will have different segments.
BTDD has been created internally and at the helm of everything from the idea to planning to execution to conceiving is the feature editor of the channel Manoj Kumar Singh.
Starting from 23 May at 2 pm, the 60 minute long show will be narrated from the unique perspective of a male character unlike the other majority of the shows which have female anchors. Differentiating from others, the channel will have a male host who will be referred as ‘desh ka devar’. With a vision to supply new appetite to the viewers, the channel is aimed at replacing TV news with an entertaining ‘tadkedaar’ content.
“Every viewer is important for us. News content consumption slows down during noon and this is the ideal time to show different aspects of TV industry. The show has been planned and executed after a period of 5 months. We cannot reveal the name of the anchor as our USP is the Desh ka Devar. We are extremely confident about this show”, says IBN7 deputy managing editor Sumit Awasthi.
“BTDD is the brainchild of Manoj. He and the team has worked hard behind this show which the audience will surely enjoy as it hits the tv sets”, adds Awasthi.
The channel has not locked any deals with advertisers yet and is in talks with various brands “There are several on-going conversations with potential advertisers from across various sectors. We can clearly discern significant interest in the show amongst advertisers, amongst the trade etc., given that what we are trying to do is disrupt how entertainment news is typically shown”, he further adds.
Targeting the female audience at large, the channel has planned an extensive marketing plan to push the show. Apart from the various promos, the channel also circulates 20-25 teasers every day which stars A-list TV actors who also are their brand ambassadors. The actors negate the ‘desh ka devar’ character creating buzz amongst the audiences.
The show will also be promoted on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., and will also be pushed on the News18 website.
“We will effectively utilize and leverage our Network which we believe will help us establish the show. Additionally we will use an effective mix of digital, OOH and other media to maximize the reach of the show”, concludes Awasthi.
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.
