MAM
Wimbledon ad spots sold out: ESPN Star
MUMBAI: As top tennis players in the world get ready to vie for the esteemed Wimbledon title, sports broadcaster ESPN Star is wide smiled as it has managed to sell out all the ad spots.
Brands like Rolex, Thai Airways, Nokia and IBM are among the nine sponsors on board. Six others, including Red Bull, Pernod Ricard and Renault India, have also booked spots.
“In the past 7-8 years, Wimbledon ad spots have always been sold out and this year the story is the same,” ESPN Software India executive VP Sanjay Kailash, told PTI.
Asked about the ad revenue, he declined to comment but said the rates have gone up between five per cent and 10 per cent as against last year.
According to media planners, the broadcaster is charging about Rs 20,000-Rs 25,000 for a 10-second spot.
Kailash said the championship, which will be held from 24 June to 7 July this year, will be telecast on three channels, Star Sports 2, ESPN and ESPN HD in India.
“There will be 150 hours of live matches, which is more than 25 per cent from last year. The number of different live matches will also increase,” he said, adding, viewership would also increase considerably.
According to industry estimates, Wimbledon viewership in India last year was about 20-25 million.
In an attempt to promote the event, the broadcaster has already rolled out campaigns on its different channels, and also during the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy, clearly leaving no stone unturned to make the grand slam event a grand success.
Rising living costs, longer financial responsibilities, and changing household structures are reshaping how Indian families plan for long-term financial security. In this shifting environment, life insurance is increasingly being viewed as a core part of structured financial planning rather than an optional protection tool.
Securing Your Family’s Finances with Life Insurance
Life insurance plays a role in family financial planning by supporting income continuity and long‑term financial responsibilities in the event of an unexpected loss. With this coverage amount, the family can continue to maintain their daily needs, fund children’s education, repay debts, and meet other financial obligations.
Beyond basic financial protection, life insurance has expanded to support long‑term planning objectives, helping families manage education costs, liabilities, and continuity of income.
Retirement Benefits with Life Insurance
As India’s workforce becomes more conscious of post‑retirement income security, life insurance is increasingly linked with retirement planning. Regular income options integrated into insurance products are being viewed to reduce dependence on external support systems later in life.
Save your Income Tax with Life Insurance
Tax efficiency remains one of the reasons families factor life insurance into financial planning, as it continues to be recognised under prevailing tax provisions as a long‑term savings and protection tool.
Policy Flexibility and Early Adoption Trends
Early adoption and flexible policy design have also contributed to growing relevance, as insurers respond to broader financial planning needs across different life stages.
How Life Insurance is Evolving for Family Financial Planning
- Easier Digital Access
Purchasing a life insurance policy no longer involves loads of paperwork, multiple visits to the insurance office, etc. With online options, purchasing and managing life insurance policies has become much easier.
You can compare various insurance plans online, get instant quotes for premiums, opt for paperless documentation, and avail of faster claim settlements. This also helps maintain transparency among policyholders.
- Growing Popularity of Term Insurance
Term insurance plans are becoming more popular because of their high coverage and affordability. This shift reflects a growing preference for high‑coverage, cost‑efficient protection aligned with practical family responsibilities.
- Focus on Long-term Family Goals
As financial planning becomes more structured and long‑term in nature, life insurance is increasingly viewed as foundational rather than supplementary. Its role in addressing income continuity, long‑term obligations, and evolving family needs explains why relevance continues to grow in today’s planning conversations.
