News Broadcasting
News Corp reports record results, set for further earnings growth
MUMBAI: “A record end to a record year. The most profitable fourth quarter ever and the most profitable year in our company’s 80 years of existence.”
That was how Rupert Murdoch described the record earnings at News Corp Ltd’s filmed entertainment, television, cable TV and Harper Collins publishing businesses that have powered the media moghul’s company to a 2002/03 fiscal fourth-quarter profit of $370 million, compared with a loss of $1.74 billion last year. Revenues rose 21 per cent, to $4.6 billion from $3.8 billion, last year.
The loss last year was in large part due to the $1.9 billion write-down of its 43 per cent investment in Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc.
‘A record end to a record year’: Rupert Murdoch (Picture courtesy news.com.au)
Full year net profit stood at $1.05 billion, driven mainly by strong growth in advertising revenues at its television and cable networks.
Aided by programmes like American Idol and Joe Millionaire, the Fox network reversed its lacklustre performance from the previous year and the Fox News Channel’s profit nearly doubled with higher ad revenue overcoming increased costs of coverage of the US-led invasion of Iraq.
DVD and video sales of movies including Ice Age and Shallow Hal added to cinema releases of X2: X-Men United, Daredevil, 28 Days Later, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and One Hour Photo to all added to the News Corp kitty.
Asked by reporters if News Corp’s latest earnings results were as good as it gets for the company, Murdoch was quoted as saying: “Of course not. We’re not going to rest until we are many times this.”
That statement was backed up by company CFO David DeVoe who said that News Corp and its Fox Entertainment business were gearing up for another strong result in 2003/04.
“We expect that 2004 operating income growth at News Corporation will be in the range of high single digits to low double digit, which includes absorbing losses from Sky Italia of approximately $300 million,” De Voe was quoted as saying.
Speaking about News Corp’s $6.6 billion acquisition of satellite television company DirecTV, Murdoch told financial analysts during a conference call that he remained hopeful the transaction would receive necessary regulatory approvals by the end of the year.
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.
