News Broadcasting
Mumbai MSOs reach common cause on hike in subscription rates
How well it will work in the rest of the country remains to be seen. But the leading cable MSOs in Mumbai have decided to work jointly to implement an across the board structured increase in cable television subscription rates. The process, which kicks off on 1 May, will see monthly subscription hitting an upper slab ceiling of Rs 360 within the next six months.
The hikes, which are being instituted as part of a two slab structure linked to locality and paying capacity, will mean subscribers will have to pay Rs 300 per month in the lower slab before the year is out or face disconnection.
All the leading cable MSOs in Mumbai – Hinduja Group’s IncableNet, Rajan Raheja’s Hathway Cable & Datacom (in which Rupert Murdoch’s Star India officially has a 26 per cent stake), Wincable (in which Hathway holds almost 100 per cent stake), Subhash Chandra’s Zee Group cable arm Siticable, and Seven Star Networks Ltd – have decided to implement these rates.
There are some reports that certain building societies in south Mumbai have issued notices to their members opposing the move saying they will not accept a rate above Rs 250 a month. However, Anand Patwardhan, chairman, Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI), was of the view that because cable companies had formed what he termed a cartel, there was little chance of serious opposition from consumers.
The bedrock of this deal is that the big cable companies will have to adhere to a no-poaching agreement wherein they stick to their own turfs. The unique way the Indian pay TV market has grown has meant that Indian MSOs have fought to get control of local cable operators, to make sure that they gain maximum subscriber households. Local cable operators have in the past used it to their benefit by playing one MSO against another.
As to whether this formula would be applied in other parts of the country, the word is that these issues are being looked into.
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.
