News Broadcasting
BBC Magazines’ ‘Top Gear,’ ‘Top of the Pops’ boost circulation
MUMBAI: BBC Magazines’ Top Gear and Top of the Pops are two of the publisher’s success stories as part of a strong performance across its portfolio, according to the latest ABC circulation figures released in the UK.
Total circulation for BBC Magazines is up 5.9 per cent year on year. Top Gear broke through the 200,000 circulation barrier for the first time, at 200,286, an increase of 5.4 per cent year on year. Top of the Pops magazine shows the biggest growth in the teen market, with 124,852, an increase of 18.9 per cent. Preschool titles are up 8.3 per cent at 605,290, with In the Night Garden reaching over 100,000 copies. The magazine had launched in September 2007.
BBC History also shows growth at 58,395, up 8.6 per cent, its highest ever ABC. Radio Times though is slightly down at 2.6 per cent. As far as the BBC Food titles are concerned, Olive is up 25 per cent at 90,236 and Good Food is at 365,978 up 4.4 per cent.
BBC Magazines MD Peter Phippen says, “I am delighted with yet another great set of results for BBC Magazines. I believe this shows that when you offer consumers informative, quality titles with clearly defined propositions, demand for magazines in this multi-media age is stronger than ever.”
Top Gear magazine associate publisher Simon Carrington says, “Top Gear magazine has delivered its highest ever ABC cracking the 200k copies mark – an exceptional total representing the magazine’s tenth consecutive period of growth.
“Top Gear’s latest ABC of 200,286 has been achieved by a series of great covers, a successful marketing programme and a huge public demand for the brand. This result means that we now outsell our nearest motoring rival What Car? by 92,474 copies.
“Subscription sales, a great benchmark for success, have also performed fantastically for Top Gear. The magazine now has over 50,000 loyal UK readers subscribing on a monthly basis. It’s also great to see a good performance from the general motoring market which continues to show stability, proving that there remains a strong consumer appetite for motoring titles.”
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.
