News Broadcasting
Vivendi Universal announces Canal Plus, TPS tie-up
MUMBAI: The Paris-headquartered media and telecommunication company Vivendi Universal is buying Television Par Satellite (TPS). The company will also combine its broadcast business with its French pay-TV business Canal Plus to create a company valued at 7.5 billion euros (US$9 billion).
Vivendi will own 85 per cent of the new company, while TPS owners Societe Television Francaise 1 and M6-Metropole Television will own 9.9 per cent and 5.1 per cent, respectively, the companies said in a media release.
The aim of this industry alliance is to develop a rich and competitive pay-TV product with strong brand names, for the benefit of consumers. The new group would be a major player on the French broadcasting market. It would reinvigorate and broaden the French pay-TV market, offering its subscribers and future subscribers a significantly richer and improved product the release adds.
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.
