News Broadcasting
Times Now regains top slot in English news genre
MUMBAI: After a long gap of 64 weeks, Times Now has dethroned Republic TV from its top slot. The Arnab Goswami-led channel’s streak was broken as it occupied the pole position since its launch on 6 May 2017.
In Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) data for week 31, Aaj Tak led the charts in all the three markets. Zee News exited the top five in Hindi news rural market.
Recently, Republic TV had complained to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) of India about Times Now getting the channel re-slotted under Hindi news genre on distribution platforms, impacting viewership data.
English News
This week Times Now found itself at the top position in English News genre with 734 impressions (000s) sum as compared to 806 impressions (000s) sum last week. Whereas Republic TV was at second position with 705 impressions (000s) sum, followed by India Today Television at third position with 246 impressions (000s) sum. CNN News 18 and NDTV24x7 maintained their fourth and fifth positions with 236 impressions and 174 impressions (000s) sum respectively.
English Business News
CNBC TV18 maintained its top position in English business news genre with 705 impressions (000s) sum as compared to 644 impressions (000s) sum, followed by ET Now and BTVI at second and third positions with 197 impressions (000s) sum and 96 impressions (000s) sum. CNBC TV 18 Prime HD was at fourth position with 25 impressions (000s) sum as compared to 28 impressions (000s) sum.
Hindi News (U+R)
Aaj Tak continued to rule the Hindi news genre with 149487 (000s) sum impressions as compared to 164150 impressions (000s) sum last week. Whereas India TV jumped to second position with 115894 impressions (000s) sums, ABP News maintained its third position with 101045 impressions. Zee News moved down to fourth position with 100705 impressions (000s) sum, as compared to 107966 impressions (000s) last week. News 18 India was at fifth position with 99687 impressions (000s) sum.
Hindi News Rural
Aaj Tak also continued to to dominate in Hindi news (R) with 73376 impressions (000s) sum as compared to 76189 impressions (000s) sum last week. ABP News maintained its second position this week with 47674 impressions (000s) sum, followed by India TV at third position with 45738 impressions. News18 India replaced Zee News with 41201 impressions (000s) sum. News Nation was at fifth position with 40320impressions (000s) sum as compared to 40241 impressions (000s) sum last week.
Hindi News Urban
Aaj Tak maintained its top position in Hindi news genre (U) with 76112 impressions (000s) sum as compared to 87961 impressions (000s) sum. India TV found itself at second position with 70156 impressions (000s) sum. Zee News was at third position with 60523 impressions (000s) as compared to 67186 impressions (000s) last week. News 18 India and ABP News maintained theur fourth and fifth with 58486 impressions and 53371 impressions (000s) sum respectively.
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.
