News Broadcasting
NDTV India runs Aaj Tak close on budget day
MUMBAI: Aaj Tak continues to reign supreme in the Hindi news channel stakes but the challenge posed by NDTV India is getting stiffer. On budget day – 8 July – Aaj Tak maintained its leadership position with a channel share of 32 per cent (CS4+ Hindi Speaking markets) for the whole day ahead of NDTV India, which notched up a market share of 29 per cent.
Looking at the whole day (9 am to 10 pm) however, both Aaj Tak and NDTV India were neck and neck at 31 per cent as far as channel share was concerned.
Star News, DD News and Zee News had a market share of 10 per cent each on 8 July in the above mentioned market for the whole day part. Whereas Sahara Samay managed a market share of 8 per cent.
According to Tam data, Aaj Tak and NDTV India were neck and neck with 31% market share on 8 July (Union budget) in the CS4+ Hindi speaking market during the whole day part According to Tam, Aaj Tak gathers 32% market share on 8 July in the CS4+ Hindi speaking market between 9 am to 10 pm, whereas NDTV India manages 29% market share in the same market
On the day of the Railway budget (6 July), however, Aaj Tak had a solid lead over rival NDTV India by 12 per cent with a market share of 34 per cent. NDTV India was second in line among the Hindi news channels with a market share of 22 per cent. Star News gathered a market share of 14 per cent, followed closely behind by DD News with 13 per cent.
According to Tam data, on 6 July (Railway budget) Aaj Tak’s market share was 34 per cent whereas that of NDTV India was 22 per cent in the CS4+ Hindi speaking market during the whole day part
According to an official release issued by Aaj Tak, its live and exclusive interview with the Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on the day of the Railway budget pushed its market share to a phenomenal 54 per cent during that time.
Commenting on the channel’s performance, Aaj Tak’s marketing manager Rajesh Sheshadri was quoted in the release as saying, “Whenever there is an event of great importance, the nation tunes into the nations best news channel. We understand the needs of today’s viewers and provide them with in-depth programming. Right from the policy-makers strategy to the common mans perspective – Aaj Tak was able to provide a complete picture of the budget.”
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.
