News Broadcasting
BabyTV launches an online social network for parents
MUMBAI: US new media firm BabyUnivers which works in the pregnancy, baby and toddler marketplace, has announced the launch of BabyTV.com.
This provides the first full-featured video-driven social networking site for parents and expecting parents. BabyTV.com was previewed to select users in late December 2006 as the first Internet-based television network devoted to moms, and the official debut of BabyTV.com brings a rich user experience with high quality video content and interactive functionality for parents, parents-to-be, and caregivers.
BabyTV.com offers a catalogue of streaming television programming targeted to new and expectant parents from recognized experts throughout the industry. Viewers can tune into the linear schedule of programming and video-on-demand (VOD) library filled with entertaining and informative videos from content partners Oxygen Media and Alpha Mom.
The website also allows parents to submit original video to share with other parents, using the MyBabyTV functionality which has already been dubbed by some the ‘YouTube for Mommies’ Unlike YouTube, however, all uploaded video content can be quickly reviewed by a BabyTV.com moderator using state- of-the-art tools, allowing MyBabyTV to serve as a family-friendly environment for sharing the special moments of a newborn’s life.
Importantly, this content screening capability also provides advertisers with protection from negative associations with inappropriate content that has become so common on other video-sharing sites.
Throughout the site, parents and parents-to-be can use interactive functionality to share their opinions about BabyTV content by providing feedback on specific videos, participating in polls, and posting original comments in video forums. BabyTV also offers a library of text-based articles written by industry experts that are available to users of the site.
BabyUniverse chairman and CEO John Textor says, “Our goal is to create the ultimate social networking destination for moms who are looking to share ideas and stories and to find out more about the highly individual journey that we call parenthood.”
“BabyTV brings a wealth of next-generation community features for site visitors, allowing users to create membership profiles, participate in message boards and polls relating to pregnancy and parenting topics, and upload their own videos –providing the premier and most all- encompassing online environment for parents today.”
The launch of BabyTV.com is also changing the rules on the behind-the- scenes work of bringing live TV programming and VOD to viewers, debuting a new Internet content delivery platform that has been implemented by John Studdard, the company’s executive VP of new media. Studdard, who is known for creating the enterprise architecture behind
VirtualBank.com /Lydian Trust Co. which allowed it to scale from startup into a multi-billion dollar diversified financial services company, has strong credentials for developing next-generation content delivery platforms.
Studdard says, “BabyTV is a significant milestone for Internet broadcasting as well as the BabyUniverse family of online websites, providing a robust platform for the next generation of media-driven networking sites,” . As the first web property to be completely deployed on our new enterprise content management system (CMS), BabyTV provides a way to gain efficiencies of scale in rolling out video, text and community assets across multiple sites.”
The company’s CMS platform allows BabyUniverse to leverage content throughout other BabyUniverse sites, easily moving video and text content created by a centrally located creative and editorial staff throughout the sites, when and where it’s needed, in real time.
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.
