News Broadcasting
Sudhanshu Vats appointed MD Viacom18; Rahul Joshi is MD Network18 and TV18
MUMBAI: It’s promotion time at the Reliance Industries-owned news firm TV18 Broadcast and Network18 Media and entertainment broadcasting major Viacom18. The boards of the three companies have upped their respective CEOs to managing director (MD). Sudhanshu Vats who was earlier group CEO, Viacom18 has now been designated as MD even as Rahul Joshi has been given the same designation at both Network18 Media and TV18 Broadcast. Joshi’s position is for a term of three years with effect from 9 July 2018, while Vats’s redesignation awaits the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals.
Vats has been associated with Viacom18 from last six years, while Joshi has worked at Network18 Group since September 2015 and is CEO news and group editor in chief.
Adil Zainulbhai, chairman of Network18 and TV18 said “Both the appointees have tremendous skill and experience and will continue to drive our news and entertainment businesses towards leadership, as we continue to invest in these areas.”
Joshi has done his masters in management studies from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Mumbai University.
Prior to joining the Network18 group, he worked for more than two decades with The Economic Times, where he rose through ranks to quickly become one of India’s youngest editors, and has also worked as its editorial director. He also launched ET Now and helped shape the digital coverage of ET Online.
Joshi was also employed with The Indian Express in the past. He is also on the board of News Broadcasters Association (NBA).
Vats is a management graduate from the Indian Institute of Management – Ahmedabad. Prior to joining Viacom18, he spent about 20 years in Hindustan Unilever (Unilever India) where he worked in sales & marketing and general management roles across categories and shaped many popular household brands. Vats is also chairman of the national media & entertainment committee of CII (Confederation of Indian Industry), VP of IBF (Indian Broadcasting Foundation) and director of BARC (Broadcast Audience Research Council).
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.
