News Broadcasting
Sony, Hathway reach compromise on issue of paid connectivity; SetMax, AXN, CNBC back on feed
Sony Entertainment Television and the Rajan Raheja-owned Hathway Cable & Datacom have reached agreement on a dispute that had developed over unpaid dues as well the declared connectivity of its pay channel service of SetMax, AXN and CNBC.
The channels, which were off air since 2 January on the Hathway feed, began beaming again on Monday in Mumbai, Pune and Nashik – the areas under dispute. According to Sony, the dues outstanding were Rs 1.5 million for the period from June 2000.
Officials in Sony and Hathway were tightlipped as to nitty gritty of what had been agreed upon vis-a-vis the declared paid connectivity of the three channels. But it is believed that Sony had to scale back its demand of a threefold increase in the declared connectivity of paid subscribers from November 2000.
According to cable industry sources, Hathway earlier had a declared paid connectivity of around 10,000 for SetMax in Mumbai, 20,000 for CNBC, and 40,000 for AXN.
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.
