News Headline
Sing! China: Star breaks record; to seek partner at MIPCOM
MUMBAI: Star China International Media Limited deputy general manager Iris Xia announced it took the top viewing spot for Season 1 finale ratings for its Canxing Productions’ new show/format Sing! China. Tencent and Youku Video report over 47 million play times within 24 hours of the finale. The live finale was filmed at the “Bird Nest” in Beijing, officially known as the National Stadium and reached 4+ Viewers (000) 15,897 and TV Ratings were 3.89% among 52 cities, 16.05% of market share. The music competition program earned #1 rating on Zhejiang Satellite TV for each of its 13 weekly episode run, several times breaking all previous ratings’ records. Star China CEO, Tian Ming announced that domestic auditions will begin next month for Season 2 after Zhejiang Satellite TV confirmed commission of Season 2. Star China will be seeking a distribution partner at MIPCOM.
Star China International Media is a leading media entertainment group in China with businesses ranging from TV production, broadcasting, filmmaking, artist management, music and concert production. As of January 2014, China Media Capital acquired the remaining 47% share from News Corporation to become the sole owner of Star China.
“Star China is thrilled with the ratings’ performance for the entire first season of Sing! China, our new singing talent show/format. Audiences were so enthusiastic that we earned millions of viewers on Zhejiang Satellite TV along with billions of views online. There were over 47 million views on Tencent and YouKu in just 24 hours alone after the finale. The response was better than we could have ever hoped for and Star China is proud to have presented a fantastic music show which has now been renewed for a second season,” said Xia.
Sing! China is an original music talent show created by Canxing Production which searches to find talented singers with dreams to attain recognition in the Chinese music industry. Four main judges each ride a chariot and rush to the stage to choose the contestant they desire. The concept and the stage design are based on the theme of “The War of Music.” Judges team up with selected contestants and guide them in a series of competitions.
Sing! China earned major online visibility early in the season. Within its first two days, the show received over 500 million total views on Tencent and Youku video sites and broke online records by receiving over 37 billion views for the first season.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
