News Broadcasting
Same beat new badge News18 Marathi tunes into a sharper state voice
MUMBAI: A familiar voice has changed its name, not its accent. News18 Marathi has officially replaced News18 Lokmat, marking a rebrand that tightens the channel’s alignment with the wider Network18 stable. The new identity was unveiled by Devendra Fadnavis, signalling both a symbolic and strategic reset for the Marathi news broadcaster.
The rebranding follows Network18’s full acquisition of IBN Lokmat News Pvt. Ltd. in October last year, which brought the channel entirely under the group’s ownership. With the ownership question settled, the focus has now shifted to brand cohesion, positioning the channel closer to the national News18 network while retaining its strong regional core. The refreshed identity leans into its positioning as “Awaaz Maharashtracha”, blending a statewide lens with hyper-local reporting.
That regional strength is not new. Over the years, the channel has built a formidable reputation in the Marathi news space, backed by an extensive bureau network, consistent on-ground reporting and a sharp editorial stance. This approach has translated into trust and, crucially, numbers. The channel has held on to the No.1 position among Marathi news channels for over a year, driven by sustained viewer engagement and a programming line-up that has avoided fatigue.
Flagship shows such as Bade Mudde, Mulukh Maharashtra and Apla Maharashtra continue to anchor its leadership, offering a mix of hard politics, civic issues and regional narratives that resonate across urban and rural audiences alike. These properties have become appointment viewing, reinforcing the channel’s grip on the genre.
Under the News18 Marathi banner, the channel will continue to prioritise fast-paced, credible journalism, with sharper coverage of governance, development, culture and civic life across Maharashtra. For Network18, the move is less about reinvention and more about consolidation, sharpening a winning formula under a unified brand.
In a crowded regional news market, the message is clear. The name may be new, but the voice remains unmistakably Maharashtrian, now backed by the full weight of a national network.
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.
