News Broadcasting
English news genre ratings get a fillip from election results suspense
BENGALURU: The English news genre benefitted from the state elections results that were declared early this week. In the week leading to the Gujarat elections, the genre’s ratings climbed and that climb continued in week 50 of 2017 (Saturday, 9 December 2017 to Friday, 15 December 2017) as channels put forth their guesstimates about who would win one of the dirtiest fights during recent Indian elections. No abuse and misuse of emotions was spared by politicians who wanted to prove that the junta – the voter was still with them, or to attract that additional vote from the electorate.
In week 50 of 2017, as per data by Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), the combined ratings of the top five English news channels (All India (U+R) : NCCS AB : Males 22+ Individuals) increased 22 percent to 2.889 million impressions as compared to the immediate trailing week. The top five channels retained their ranks from week 49.
As has become the norm since its launch in week 19 of 2017, the Arnab Goswami led Republic TV topped the genre with 20 percent higher ratings of 0.982 million weekly impressions in week 50 as compared to the 0.819 million weekly impressions in week 49. Goswami’s former employer, Times Now, was at second rank with 14 percent higher ratings during the week under review at 0.864 million weekly impressions as compared to 0.759 million weekly impressions in week 49 of 2017.
India Today Television was at third place with a 36.3 percent hike in ratings to 0.462 million weekly impressions in week 50 from 0.339 million weekly impressions in the previous week. CNN News 18 was at fourth rank with a 41.2 percent growth in viewership to 0.329 million weekly impressions from 0.233 million weekly impressions in week 49. At fifth place was the Prannoy and Radhika Roy-led NDTV 24×7, which saw its viewership grow by 15 percent to 0.252 million during the week under review from 0.219 million weekly impressions in week 49.
Dominance of Republic TV continues as genre ratings plunge
Republic TV, Times Now viewership moves up as genre ratings fall
Republic TV continues to lead English news genre despite bumps
Stunning victory for Republic TV, Republic watches Times Now
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.
