News Broadcasting
TV18 increases stake in CNBC-TV18 channel from 49% to 90%
MUMBAI / NEW DELHI: One query that had been raised in the capital’s corridors regarding the the government’s “going after Star News” was: Why has the government not asked similar questions to Raghav Bahl’s Television Eighteen India Ltd., another company that had to restructure its joint venture with CNBC Asia Pacific to continue uplinking from India?”
Well, TV18 answered its critics late last evening. According to the new restructuring that has announced, CNBC AP will hold a 10 per cent strategic stake in TV18’s unlisted channel broadcast subsidiary. TV18 now owns almost 90 per cent stake in CNBC-TV18, India’s premier business television service. The stake increase (from the earlier 49 per cent) will be virtually cash neutral for TV18.
Besides the 10 per cent strategic stake, the agreement also includes a definitive 15-year franchise arrangement for the CNBC brand. The entire arrangement is subject to obtaining requisite regulatory approvals.
TV18 shall be hiving off the channel’s operations into its existing unlisted subsidiary (iNEWS.com Limited) and CNBC AP shall be taking a 10 per cent stake in this India registered entity. Necessary approvals from shareholders and regulators for implementing this structure will be sought shortly, a company release says.
TV18 has budgeted an extraordinary, NON CASH restructuring charge in the region of Rs 150 million in relation to its existing Mauritius subsidiary. Being an intra-group transaction between TV18 and its 100 per cent Mauritius subsidiary, this restructuring charge will not have any material impact on the overall financial position of the TV18 group, the statement says. The final restructuring plan is being drawn up with assistance from Ernst and Young, who also acted as advisors on the deal.
Raghav Bahl, MD, TV18 was quoted in the release as saying: “We are extremely happy to announce to our shareholders that they will now have a 90 per cent stake in the success of CNBC-TV18. We also welcome CNBC as a strategic stakeholder and partner in the business. Our combined efforts will ensure that CNBC-TV18 continues to flourish as India’s premier business news broadcaster.”
For the record, for the fourth quarter ended 31 March, 2003, the company claimed to be the seventh straight quarter when revenues had grown and costs have been flat. The quarterly operating margin crossed 35 per cent with annual operating profit crossing Rs 100 million (up 255 per cent year-on-year). The quarterly net profit margin stood at 22.72 per cent, up four times YOY. The earnings per share (EPS) had crossed Rs 2 for Q4 FY 2003 (annualised value of EPS: Rs 8).
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.
