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India has 678 million sports audiences: Ormax Sports Audience Report 2024
Mumbai: Media consulting firm Ormax Media has released its latest research report titled The Ormax Sports Audience Report: 2024. The report is based on India’s largest sports research, conducted between Nov 2023 and Jan 2024, among 12,000 audiences across urban and rural India. The report covers 21 sports, 53 sports tournaments, and 52 clubs & franchises, apart from several aspects related to sports viewing behaviour of Indian audiences.
As per the report, India’s estimated sports audience base is a staggering 678 million (67.8 crore). Cricket, Football & Kabaddi are the top 3 sports, with audience base of 612, 305 & 208 million respectively.
Speaking about the need for the report, Ormax Media founder & CEO Shailesh Kapoor said, “With an increase in digital consumption, TV viewership is no longer an accurate way of estimating sports consumption in a large and heterogenous country like India. This report is a part of our initiative to build industry data using primary audience research across various categories, and is a follow-up to reports like The Ormax OTT Audience Report, and Sizing The Cinema.”
According to the report, Chennai Super Kings, Manchester United and Patna Pirates are the most-recalled franchises in each of the top 3 sports. For IPL, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore take the second spot, after Chennai Super Kings.
Virat Kohli is the most popular sportsperson in India, while MS Dhoni is ranked no. 2, despite having retired from professional cricket. The report has differences in popularity of various sports tournaments, franchises and players by various demographic and market segments, such as gender, age, NCCS, pop strata, and states.
Speaking about the report, Keerat Grewal, Head – Business Development (TV, Streaming & Brands), Ormax Media, said: “The Ormax Sports Audience Report: 2024 looks at the Indian sports landscape from an audience-first perspective, and is a comprehensive reckoner for anyone looking at crafting a sports monetization, content or communication strategy for the Indian market, ranging from broadcasters, franchise owners, sports, associations, sports management firms, and advertisers”.
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.
