News Broadcasting
Tandberg Television and PCCW initiate IPTV HDTV roll-out
MUMBAI: Hong Kong’s leading IT&T player PCCW’s now Broadband TV has chosen Tandberg Television as its market-leading advanced compression solutions for a roll-out of HD over DSL to become the first Asian MPEG-4 AVC HD operator.
The deal expands on the two companies’ existing relationship and will make now TV Asia’s first advanced encoding HD operator, as it deploys Tandberg HD encoding solution for MPEG-4 AVC. With the Tandberg EN5990 MPEG-4 AVC encoder, now TV will be able to deliver a compelling HD service with sport, entertainment and news content in half the bandwidth that would have been required for the same picture quality with MPEG-2, states an official release.
The now pay-TV service launched in 2003 and has been using Tandberg Television Mpeg-2 encoding for its premium channels. The rapid growth of now TV’s subscriber base was confirmed when the company announced that it had exceeded half a million customers. The new HD service will be a welcome extension which will enable PCCW to retain its lead in the highly competitive Hong Kong television market, the release adds.
Tandberg Television’s Mpeg-4 AVC HD systems are already established with broadcasters and operators including DirecTV, BSkyB, JSAT and Premiere basing their HD services and trials on the encoding engine.
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.
