News Broadcasting
BBC World growing faster than other Asian news channels: Pax 2004
MUMBAI: The latest research from Pax– the Pan-Asia Cross Media Survey conducted in 11 markets in Asia-Pacific and India – shows that BBC World has a greater year-on-year increase in weekly viewing among top management than any other international news channel.
BBC World already attracts an upmarket audience. Pax shows that it is the only global news channel with an increase in reach among top management in Asia in all three categories. Compared to a year ago, monthly reach is up by 32 per cent [to 20.8 per cent]; weekly reach rises by 11 per cent [to 10.5 per cent]; and daily reach jumps by 10 pr cent [to seven per cent]. BBC World’s daily audience among top management is now 47 per cent, larger that that of CNBC, with both weekly and monthly audiences being 18 per cent greater.
BBC World also scores highly among business decision-makers. The broadcaster’s monthly and weekly reaches have grown by six per cent and five per cent respectively since the last quarter among business decision-makers. Among top management, these figures are 15 per cent and 12 per cent respectively.
As well as a growth in top management, BBC World can now claim the largest daily audience compared to all other regional channels in Asia, in two key targets: 11.9 per cent reach among individuals in 10 markets whose monthly personal income is above $10,000, and a 15.4 per cent reach among opinion formers [people undertaking three or more opinion-forming activities per year] with a post-graduate qualification.
BBC World head of research and planning Jeremy Nye says, “For BBC World to grow its audience in 2004, after the intense news interest of 2003, is testimony to increasing loyalty towards its editorial mix. BBC World has long claimed a uniquely upscale and influential audience profile. We are now starting to see the channel challenging for market-leader status among specific audience targets.”
Among the 10 largest international channels in Asia-Pacific, BBC World’s audience remains enviably upscale and includes the highest proportion of top management [seven per cent], frequent international travellers [5.2 per cent] and influential opinion-formers [20 per cent].
There were also clear signs of more viewers switching to BBC World, with the channel’s exclusive weekly and monthly audiences [viewers who do not watch CNN] jumping by eight per cent and six per cent respectively. In the 10 Asian markets covered in the Pax research, the channel’s exclusive weekly audience among business decision-makers grew by a quarter to 103,000. This total is 87 per cent more than that of CNBC.
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.
