News Headline
ICC World T20 2014: Most watched international T20 tournament
MUMBAI: The recently concluded ICC World T20 2014 has emerged as the most watched international T20 tournament ever on television as well as the digital platform in India. A record 13.31 crore people across the country watched the mega sporting event, according to data provided by TAM.
There has been a 23.4 per cent higher viewership than the 2012 edition and more than 57 per cent compared to the 2010 edition. As per standard industry conversions, around 39 crore Indians watched the ICC World T20, this year.
The 2014 edition has generated a record 1222951 TVTs. This is almost 45 per cent higher than the 844400 TVTs generated during the ICC World T20 2012 edition. The six India matches in ICC World T20 have generated 672861 TVTs which again is a record for any ICC World T20. India matches during the 2012 edition had generated 396801 TVTs. The TAM data is based on ICC World T20’s broadcast on SD channels Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 3 across the country, with the target group of CS 4+.
Meanwhile on the digital platform starsports.com, the video streaming of ICC World T20 has garnered unprecedented traction on the digital domain. The ICC World T20 final between India and Sri Lanka on starsports.com attracted a record 19.3 lakh unique individuals watching video on the destination, delivering an unprecedented 37.6 lakh visits. Also video streaming of the same event on starsports.com generated 2.24 crore visits.
Overall, starsports.com attracted more than 80.9 lakh users during the fortnight long tournament delivering more than 2.24 crore visits. The consumer interactivity on starsports.com is growing at a dramatic pace. During the last 4 matches played by India, a total of 101 million live minutes of video was consumed by users with an average of more than 30 minutes per live view.
Star India head of sports business Nitin Kukreja said, “Our aim is to consistently re-shape and enrich consumer experience. During this edition, we introduced innovations like the LED stumps; there was increased focus on analytics and graphics to augment consumer engagement. The invitation to the consumer was done via a high decibel ‘Duniya Badlegi campaign’ which generated global level engagement. We are enthused with the positive feedback on the unprecedented production and broadcast effort. This will motivate us further to set even higher benchmarks in the future.”
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.
