News Broadcasting
India Today Group launches Tak 360, India’s first FAST news channel
NOIDA: India Today Group has fired the starting gun on its connected TV ambitions with the launch of Tak 360, billed as India’s first FAST (free ad-supported streaming television) news channel, aimed squarely at an always-on, digital-first audience.
Built for large screens and fast consumption, Tak 360 blends hyperlocal reporting with national and global coverage under the banner “गली से ग्लोब तक”, positioning itself as a single destination for real-time news across genres. Politics, business, crime, culture, sports, fitness and wellness sit side by side in a continuous programming loop designed for frictionless viewing across connected devices.
The launch reflects a broader shift in how news is being consumed, as connected TV rapidly moves from the margins to the mainstream. With audiences increasingly favouring big-screen streaming for live and premium content, FAST channels are emerging as a low-friction, high-reach alternative to traditional television and subscription-led OTT.
Kalli Purie, vice chairperson and executive editor-in-chief of India Today Group, said the launch marked the group’s next phase of digital innovation. “With Tak 360, we are taking our legacy into the connected TV era. As audiences shift to connected platforms, Tak 360 strengthens our position as the country’s most future-ready digital news network,” she said.
Tak 360 will stream live across the group’s digital and connected ecosystem, including News Tak on YouTube and web, the Aaj Tak and India Today websites and apps, as well as the group’s connected TV apps — India Today, GNT and Aaj Tak — offering global, always-on access.
Backed by a strong editorial backbone, 24×7 programming and a focus on balanced, inclusive reporting, Tak 360 is being pitched as a national news destination that reflects India’s diversity while matching the speed and scale demanded by connected TV audiences.
As FAST gains momentum and the living room becomes the next newsroom battleground, India Today Group is moving early — and fast.
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.
