News Broadcasting
Steve Tao is Fremantle US senior VP scripted programming
MUMBAI: FremantleMedia North America (FMNA), a division of global format creator, FremantleMedia, has announced that industry veteran, Steve Tao has been named senior VP, scripted programming.
Tao will be responsible for continuing to develop FremantleMedia North Americas dramatic programming slate.
Tao brings a wealth of development and production experience to FremantleMedia, having served as head of dramatic series for ABC Television, where he oversaw the show The Practice, NYPD Blue and Once And Again. Tao also served as senior VP of New Line Television. In the past, he was also VH1 senior VP for programming.
Globally, FremantleMedia produces over 1800 hours of drama each year through its regional divisions around the world. Weekly dramas include the long-running police serial, The Bill, broadcast in the UK on ITV1 and also internationally, and the German production, Hinter Gittern (Behind Bars) on RTL, as well the German police dramas, Balko on RTL and Soko 5113 on ZDF, and Italy’s, La Squadra on RAI 3.
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.
