News Broadcasting
SABe TV turns 2 on 23 April; launching new shows on DD Metro, Udaya
Three new dailies from the Sri Adhikari Brothers stable will start beaming on Doordarshan Metro beginning 30 April. A bi-weekly thriller, produced by SABTNL, will start beaming on Sun TV’s Kannada language channel Udaya TV at the same time.
The new shows are part of the SABTNL’s plan to supply an additional six hours of programming per week to Doordarshan and increase the total programming hours on DD to nearly 14 hours per week. SABTNL has currently been supplying content for nearly seven hours per week to DD and its regional channels.
The three new dailies on DD Metro include two thrillers, Hello Inspector and The Trap. While Hello Inspector will consist of one off episodes focusing on the world of crime, The Trap will be a continuous story. Kunti, a woman oriented soap, goes on air around the same time. All half hour daily shows, they will be beamed during DD Metro’s prime time, says SABTNL chairman Gautam Adhikari. Both The Trap and Hello Inspector star Ravi Krishan in the lead role, while actress Deepshikha plays the female lead in The Trap. SABTNL has opted for a new face as the lead of Kunti, though.
The channel that turns two on 23 April, is beefing up its own programming with a daily supernatural soap. Directed by Adhikari himself, the serial will be telecast Mondays to Thursdays at 8:30 pm. A daily comedy, to be directed by Kanchan Adhikari, will also take off shortly.
The supply of fresh software to the pubcaster follows DD’s decision to reduce its telecasting fees and waive the compulsory spot buy schemes. The company can expect to double its revenues from DD alone to touch nearly Rs 600 million by the end of the current fiscal. Suraag, which completes three years on DD National this May, has been among the content provider’s most successful shows, netting TRPs of nearly 10 every week. It was Suraag, says Adhikari, that managed to dethrone mythologicals from the top of the TRP charts for Doordarshan.
=
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.
