News Broadcasting
Comcast, Microsoft in licensing agreement for Microsoft TV software
MUMBAI: Comcast Cable and Microsoft Corp. today announced an agreement that extends their existing relationship and gives Comcast the ability to make Microsoft TV Foundation Edition 1.7 software available to up to five million customers, with the option to expand the rollout at a later date.
Taking Microsoft TV Foundation to the next level reinforces Comcast and Microsoft’s commitment to driving industry innovation and working together to bring advanced digital television services to consumers.
“We’re very impressed with the Microsoft software platform and its ability to enhance and promote video on demand, as well as its capability to launch other interactive services,” Comcast Cable president Steve Burke was quoted in an official release. “We’re excited about working closely with Microsoft to jointly define the digital TV experiences of the future and to continue bringing innovative services to our cable customers.”
As consumers demand more-advanced digital TV services, including digital video recorders (DVRs), video on demand (VOD) and high-definition television (HDTV), cable companies are looking for software platforms such as Microsoft TV Foundation Edition that continue to provide significant competitive advantages in the marketplace.
Foundation Edition is designed to work across a range of set-top boxes, from the tens of millions of set-tops that multiple service operators (MSOs) have in place today to the ongoing deployment of advanced set-tops that enable new services, including dual-tuner DVR, VOD, HDTV, games and more. The software, among the first to support the dual-tuner DVR and HDTV capabilities in Motorola’s new DCT 6412 set-top, also helps viewers more easily use these services with an innovative, built-in interactive programming guide (IPG).
“Comcast continues to lead the industry in innovation and in the delivery of exciting services that bring new value to its subscribers,” said Microsoft TV Division corporate vice president Moshe Lichtman.
“Comcast’s significant commitment to Microsoft TV Foundation is a very powerful stamp of approval. It is another sign that the industry wants cost-effective, scalable software platforms like Microsoft TV to deliver the services consumers want today as well as the future services that have yet to be invented,” Lichtman added.
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.
