News Broadcasting
CNN is top network with 13.3 mn viewers on US election day
MUMBAI: The Obama smile spread to CNN which emerged as the most-watched network on the election day. CNN garnered 13.3 million viewers to take the top spot that day, according to Nielsen Online Custom Analysis data, P2+ Home/Work Panel.
ABC had a total viewership of 12.5 million, followed by NBC (11.9 million), Telemundo (8.5 million), FNC (8.1 million), CBS (7.5 million), MSBNC (6.4 million) and Fox (4.7 million).
CNN topped the cable news competition with an average of 12.3 million total viewers tuning in during primetime, a 36 per cent advantage over FNC’s 9 million and an impressive 109 per cent lead over MSNBC’s 5.9 million.
Among adults 25-54, CNN was also number 1 with 5.8 million, a 48 per cent advantage over FNC’s 3.9 million and 119 per cent lead over MSNBC’s 2.7 million demo viewers. Among younger viewers 18-34, CNN was also first with 3.4 million. FNC stood second with 1.8 million while MSNBC was third with 1.4 million.
CNN had the largest gains in prime time compared to 2004 in 25-54, up 102 per cent, while FNC only increased 4 per cent and MSNBC was up 87 per cent. (This was also reflected in total day where CNN grew the most among 25-54, up 97 per cent and MSNBC was up 94 per cent, while FNC declined 16 per cent).
CNN.com delivered the largest daily audience in its history with 30 million unique visitors on Election Day, more than doubling the previous record of 13.4 million generated on Super Tuesday of this year.
CNN.com Live, the Internet’s only multi-stream, live video news service, pocketed 5.3 million live streams on election day. The number of live video streams served by CNN.com on election day is nearly triple that of its previous daily streaming record, which was set on 1 September, 2008 – the first day of the RNC and the day Hurricane Gustav made landfall. CNN.com also served an additional 6.8 million on-demand video streams on 4 November.
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.
