News Broadcasting
HBO loses out in Emmy telecast rights row
LOS ANGELES: In the end, it was the clout wielded by ABC, NBC, FOX and CBS that prevailed over HBO’s bid to grab the rights to telecast the Emmy Awards.
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) has decided to stick to the four networks, even if the take home would have been more had it gone with HBO’s offer.
A Reuters report says that the big four will together pay $52 million over eight years for the right to take turns airing the show under a licensing “wheel.” This is considerably lesser than HBO’s rejected bid which was $50 million over five years.
Under the new deal, the academy will reportedly be paid $5.5 million annually for the first four years, followed by $7.5 million for the remaining four years.
The advantage for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences however, is that the threat of networks retaliating through a boycott or organising their own awards has now been thwarted.
The report further states that the big four networks had the advantage of reaching all 106.6 million American homes with TV sets. At best, HBO could reach nearly 85 per cent of TV households if it unscrambled its signal so it could be picked up on cable.
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.
