News Broadcasting
Star News claims top slot with Aaj Tak
MUMBAI: Star News has claimed that it has shot up to share the top position with Aaj Tak, fuelled by a spurt in viewership in Mumbai following the week that flooded the city.
According to latest Tam data, quoted by Star News, the channel enjoyed a 25 per cent share among C&S 15+ audiences in the Hindi speaking markets (HSM) for the week ended 6 August. NDTV and Zee News lagged behind, holding a share of 15 per cent share each.
In Mumbai, however, Star News was a clear leader in this audience group with a 33 per share, followed by Aaj Tak (28 per cent), while NDTV India and Zee News shared the third slot (11 per cent each).
Even in Maharastra, Star News was ahead with 30 per cent, while Aaj Tak’s share stood at 28 per cent. Zee News and NDTV India held 12 per cent share, respectively.
Commenting on the gains made by Star News, Media Content & Communications Services India Pvt. Ltd, (MCCS) CEO Uday Shankar says, “It is very satisfying. This points to the kind of endorsement Star News enjoyed with its slant on human interest stories following the torrid rains on 26 July.”
MCCS is a joint venture between Star Group and ABP TV ( owned by ABP Group of Kolkata) that manages Star News and its Bengali sibling Star Ananda.
Quoting Tam data, Star News claimed to have seven of its programmes in the top ten. Shankar says the people-oriented programming helped the channel to get in audiences.
Viewers also spent more time on Star News. According to Tam data provided by Star News, the time spent per viewer on the channel was 54 minutes as against Aaj Tak’s 42 minutes. For Zee News, the comparative figure was 32 minutes while NDTV’s stood at 28 minutes. Says a jubilant Shankar, “For Star News, the journey has just begun.”
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.
