News Broadcasting
Hindi news channels fall from record viewership
MUMBAI: During the week following the live terror strike coverage in Mumbai, viewership of news channels have seen a dip as audiences have migrated back to Hindi general entertainment channels to watch fresh content of their popular shows. The genre has seen a 7.3 per cent drop in share to end the week ended 6 December at 9.6 per cent (Tam, HSM, 4+, C&S).
The 60-hour coverage of the high voltage drama had pulled the Hindi news genre to a record high of 16.1 per cent in genre share from an average of 6.7 per cent in the prior four weeks (26 October to 22 November).
In the Hindi news genre, Aaj Tak is the top-rated channel with a 20 per cent market share for the week ended 6 December (according to Tam data, C&S, 15+, HSM). Next in the pecking order are Star News and India TV with a share of 16 per cent each. Zee News has a 11 per cent market share, while IBN7 has garnered 10 per cent and NDTV India 8 per cent. News24 and Samay have got 5 per cent each while Tez held a 3 per cent share.
India News and Live India pocketed 2 per cent each.
Among the English news channels, Times Now rules the roost with 33 per cent market share (Tam, C&S, All India, 4+). Following next is CNN-IBN with 30 per cent, while NDTV 24X7 has captured 26 per cent. Headlines Today holds a 10 per cent share.
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.
