News Broadcasting
Alfred Haber Dostribution’s ‘World Poker Tour’ on the block at BCWW 2004
MUMBAI: Alfred Haber Distribution, Inc., distributor of music, variety and documentary catalogue programming produced for US broadcast networks, will be showcasing World Poker Tour, the international series, to international program buyers attending the BCWW 2004 conference, from 24-26 November in Seoul, Korea. The 15, two-hour episodes of the show’s first season have already been licensed in Canada (CHUM TV), U K (Challenge TV), Australia (Foxtel), Denmark (TV2), Sweden (Kanal 5), India (DCI), Iceland (IBC), and South Korea (Badook TV).
Dealing the Travel Channel it’s highest ever ratings jackpot, World Poker Tour, has been touted as Survivor meets Millionaire by critics, and has single-handedly turned poker into America’s newest television trend and television spectator sport.
Set in exotic locations like Aruba, Paris and of course, Las Vegas, World Poker Tour involves a range of people, from seasoned poker pros to novice players, and all the drama that high stakes wagering delivers. The series is based on a 13-week run of Texas Hold ‘Em, a distinct style of poker play, with the championship culminating in Las Vegas with a total purse valued at $3 million USD.
World Poker Tour also raises the stakes for viewers by showing them the players’ ‘hole card’ by way of tiny cameras. This added feature enables viewers to know who’s bluffing and who’s not. The show’s announcers, poker pro Mike Sexton, actor Vice Van Patten and model-turned-actress Shana Hiatt guide the viewers through the game with a play-by-play analysis and the looming question, “Who will call your bluff?”
“From its initial success and continuing hit series status on The Travel Channel, World Poker Tour isn’t a gamble for programmers, it’s a proven win,” says Alfred Haber Distribution, EVP Robert Kennedy. “Some buyers see it as a sports show, others as a primetime reality program, and some as general entertainment…it’s whatever shuffles their deck!”
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.
