News Broadcasting
Sahara Samay Mumbai to target women in afternoon band
MUMBAI: While other players in the news genre are haggling over male eyeballs, Sahara Samay is looking towards roping in women and children to broaden its viewership.
Going against the grain, Sahara Samay Mumbai has set out plans to buttress its afternoon band. Starting Friday (12 January), the still-in-test-phase news channel will roll out programmes which offer a viewing option to women, for whom the afternoon is a “compulsory watch” segment.
Speaking to indiantelevision.com, Sahara Samay Mumbai head Rajiv Bajaj offered, “It is common knowledge that the afternoon band from 1:30 pm to 5 pm is a time when women and school going children tune in. We are not looking at an alternative audience but are targeting the same audience tuning in to mass entertainment channels.”
Stree Samay is the first programme targeting women that will roll out. The programme will be a series of 15 minute segments interspersed with news updates. The show, according to Bajaj, will offer women with information on health, hygiene, child-care, how to plan their day, where to shop, and other such information.
Following Stree Samay is School Samay targeting pre-teens, which will comprise education based interstitials.
“We will within a few weeks debut Fashion and Retail Samay. A unique programme, it is unlike any other fashion programme. It will offer comprehensive information about the fashion industry, the glamorous and the technical aspects of it,” offered Bajaj.
Says Bajaj, “Once the afternoon band is in place, we can command a continuous viewership throughout the day. Following the afternoon band, we have a teen band already on from 5:30 to 7:30, immediately followed by my show.”
Bajaj said that the channel should be ready with a comprehensive promotional plan within a fortnight. Titled “Celebrating Mumbai”, the on-ground and on-air blitz would be a gala affair that would celebrate Mumbai and all the elements that constitute India’s commercial capital, says Bajaj.
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.
