News Broadcasting
The story of three channels
NEW DELHI: Three different channels operating in different markets are trying to work out content that would work and advertising revenues that would make them profitable. Struggling to succeed against their bigger rivals, they have a task cut out for them.
CNEB News, part of the HBN Group, is up against the mightier Hindi news channels such as Aaj Tak, India TV and Star News.
“Distribution is the main problem for us. The government also should be strict in handing out permissions for news channels,” said CNEB COO Anuranjan Jha, while speaking at the 4th News Television Summit.
Maurya TV, operating in Bihar and Jharkhand, has managed to find space for itself. “We became the No. 1 channel in these markets. Bihar is a very political market. We are also expanding to Uttar Pradesh,” said Maurya TV executive editor Kumar Raajesh.
The channel is 74 per cent owned by Prakash Jha and 26 per cent by Manmohan Shetty. Though it may have got ratings, the channel is finding it tough to rope in advertisers. The hope is that a wider footprint would help. Entering into Uttar Pradesh, however, would mean coughing out higher carriage costs as MSO Den Networks dominates that market.
Day & Night News is also finding the going tough. Blocked initially by a leading MSO in Punjab for coverage of political news, the multi-lingual channel (Punjabi, Hindi and English) is fighting back and has sealed distribution deals with the DTH operators.
“We have carved a space for ourselves by being politically neutral. The other channels in the state are politically aligned,” said Day & Night News managing editor Kanwar Sandhu.
The channel is from Chandigarh with primary focus on Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi & NCR.
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.
