News Broadcasting
Viacom close to spinning off video rental chain Blockbuster
MUMBAI: Having failed to find a buyer for its Blockbuster video-rental business media conglomerate Viacom is said to be nearing a decision to spin it off.
Viacom has been trying to find a buyer for Blockbuster since last year. The home video market is rapidly losing favour among the movie viewers as the cost of DVDs are coming down and cable ops are coming with attractive video on demand offerings in the US.
Viacom has an 82 per cent stake and reports indicate that it would not be in the best interests of the company to try selling it to the public as newly issued Blockbuster shares because there would be scant demand for the stock. A final decision is expected within the next fortnight.
Blockbuster is also facing insurmountable problems in China. Therefore the Dallas based company has decided to withdraw from Hong Kong and close its 24 stores in the city within the next 18 months as their leases expire. The company found the store lease costs to be very high.
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.
