News Broadcasting
BBC Radio’s record breaking 250 millionth request in 2005
MUMBAI: The BBC Radio Player – which allows people to listen to BBC programmes on the Internet – has reached another significant milestone in clocking up its 250 millionth request for on demand programming, 100 million of which have been in 2005.
The figures were released as BBC Radio websites broke all their previous records in October, with 7.7 million unique user agents visiting the sites and listening to 16.4 million hours of radio online.
More than 134 million hours – that’s almost 15,345 years of continuous listening -.of BBC Radio have been consumed via the Internet this year. Leading the on demand charge in October was BBC Radio 4, which experienced a 25 per cent increase in on demand listening hours. .
BBC Radio and Music Interactive controller Simon Nelson said, “These incredible figures show that people really value the option of listening online and catching up with their favourite programmes if they miss them.”
The figures also show that since January there have been a massive 4.5 million requests for The Archers on demand. The Archers received more than 700,000 listening requests – double the programme’s average monthly requests during 2004 – whilst new series Empire debuted at number five in the On Demand Top 30.
BBC 6 Music’s rebroadcast of John Peel’s 1967 BBC radio debut, as part of its 6 Music Plays It Again strand, became the network’s most requested ever programme on demand and contributed to a record 300,000 monthly on demand listening requests for the network.
BBC Radio 1’s Keeping It Peel minisite generated three million page impressions in October and helped push the network over three million monthly unique user agents for the first 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.
