News Broadcasting
Aaj Tak led the pack till end March : TAM
MUMBAI: The day of reckoning is here. With the NDTV news channels making their debut today, the array of news channels is finally complete – Aaj Tak, Headlines Today, Zee News, Sahara Samay, Star News, NDTV India and NDTV 24x 7.
As we await data to find if these new news channels deliver and live upto people’s expectations, we take a look at how the old players namely, Aaj Tak, BBC, CNBC, CNN, Star news and Zee news fared in Delhi and Mumbai, during the last week of March (prior to the launch of the new news channels).
Interestingly, the Emediaplan search result for the top 15 programmes on the channels reveals that while BBC , CNN and CNBC didn’t figure anywhere in both metros, it was a close battle between Aaj Tak and Zee News in Delhi, with Aaj Tak occupying nine of the top 15 shows. In Mumbai, Aaj Tak hogged all the top 15 programmes (C&S households, 4+).
In Delhi, Aaj Tak at 11:00 pm garnered a rating of 2.66 followed by Zee’s Ghamasan 2003 getting 2.6. Apart from Aaj Tak news and Aaj Tak headlines, the channel’s show Duniya Ravivar too, did well and harnessed a rating of 2.33. Similarly, apart from Zee’s News and Headlines, shows like Bis Saal Baad and Time Machine too got a good rating of 2.21 and 2.07 respectively.
In Mumbai, Aaj Tak’s domination in the top 15 programmes is a clear indicator of the fact that the channel has carved an impressive niche for itself in the metropolis. With new entrants like Sahara Samay, Star News and NDTV news channels, the new round of competition for higher ratings, however, may have just begun.
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.
