News Broadcasting
BBC buys UK rights to Stephen King series from SPTI
LONDON: The BBC has acquired exclusive UK TV rights from Sony Pictures Television International to broadcast the new series, Stephen King’s Kingdom Hospital.
It is based on Danish director Lars Von Trier’s 1994 and 1997 Danish TV mini-series Riget (The Kingdom). The show has been described as a blend of the popular hospital series ER and the Stephen King classic The Shining. It stars Ed Begley Jr, Andrew McCarthy Diane Ladd and Bruce Davison. The supernatural drama is set in a modern hospital built on the site of an ancient mill and the Old Kingdom hospital Both were destroyed by fire. In this location ghosts from the past invade the present.
The director is Craig Baxley, who also directed Stephen King’s Rose Red. BBC’s acquisitions controller George McGhee added, “We are very pleased that the BBC has exclusive first UK rights to this smart and edgy series from Stephen King, the master of suspense. The BBC will broadcast Stephen King’s Kingdom Hospital later this year.” Series one will air in the US with a 90 minutes premiere in February 2004.
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.
