News Broadcasting
40-50 million viewers to watch ‘Friends’ finale
MUMBAI: America’s hit serial from NBC, Friends will air its final episode on Thursday 6 May. NBC estimates that 40 to 50 million viewers will experience the finale.
The data was revealed by a Harris Interactive study commissioned by Phillips Electronics. The study analysed how US consumers develop social connections and personal viewing habits around television programming.
In the survey, 52 per cent of respondents said that the season finale of their favorite TV show was a must-view event. Nearly 32 per cent are plannning to record the final episode of Friends .The survey showed that more than half (55 per cent) of respondents invite friends and family over to watch television programmes in general, while 38 per cent does the same once or twice a month.
Movies, sports and sitcoms top the list of TV programming with audience shares of 86, 52 and 49 per cent respectively. TV dramas stand at 37 per cent while reality TV shows have 31 per cent share.
The survey was conducted online from 31 March to 13 April 2004 among 1,053 TV owners aged 20 to 55.
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.
