News Broadcasting
ESS renews deal for Wimbledon tennis
MUMBAI: ESPN Star Sports (ESS) has renewed a deal for one of its key tennis properties – Wimbledon.
ESS has renewed the rights for another five years. Besides Wimbledon, ESS also airs the Australian and US Open tennis tournaments. Ten Sports has The French Open. Last year, over 167 million homes enjoyed the sight of Swiss Roger Federer winning Wimbledon on ESS. In addition, ESS claims that its overall tennis coverage was able to attract an extra 50 million viewers.
In people-metered markets, Wimbledon claims to be attracting up to five times more affluent, senior professionals than all programs on other cable news channels in Asia. In fact, an average Wimbledon match rates at least twice that of competitive top programmes on other cable channels, says an official release.
ESS MD Rik Dovey was quoted in the release saying, “Wimbledon remains the most widely watched tennis tournament in the world .The key to this acquisition was the fact that the rights holders recognise that we have the best distribution of any sports network in Asia . Year after year, through our first-class production values and support programming, we have dramatically improved the presentation of Wimbledon and enhanced viewer appreciation for the event as well as the sport as a whole.”
Wimbledon director of television John Rowlinson added that ESS’ proven ability to value-add to sport properties was a deciding factor in the award of the multi-year rights to the company. “We appreciate, in particular, how well they have promoted the tournament in the past, and the way in which their distribution network has grown in strength, particularly in China.”
This year, Wimbledon will be held from 21 June – 4 July and will air live on Star Sports as usual.
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.
