MAM
Ten Sports sells 60% of ad inventory for India-Sri Lanka series, lines up sponsors
MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) has lined up three on-air sponsors for the India versus Sri Lanka series that kicks off on 21 July on Ten Cricket. The series will feature five ODIs and one Twenty20 match.
Hero MotoCorp has come on board as co-presenting sponsor. The broadcaster is in talks with at least three advertisers for the second co-presenting sponsorship slot.
Ten has signed up Royal Seagram and Lenovo as associate sponsors and is in advanced stage negotiations with Max New York life and Manipal University. Brands like Merck Pharma, Sony Vaio and Titan have also bought air-time.
The channel has sold 60 per cent of its ad inventory. “We aim to sell 90 per cent before the tournament kicks off and the balance 10 per cent will be sold at a premium,” says Zee chief sales officer Ashish Sehgal.
Kent RO is the title sponsor of the wraparound show, ‘Straight Drive‘. Luminous has taken Hawkeye sponsorship while Ambuja Cement is the Action Replay sponsor. “We are looking at four more associate sponsors for Straight Drive,” avers Sehgal.
Indiantelevision.com had earlier reported that the company was looking at raking in Rs 900 million from the series, a target that media buyers had stated was too high. Micromax is the title sponsor while Royal Stag Cricket Gear is the on-ground associate sponsor.
While not talking about revenue expectations, Sehgal notes that the series will generate interest as India has not played cricket for two months. “We are looking at a total of six on-ground sponsors,” he adds.
The broadcaster will kick-off its 360 degree campaign with the theme of ‘One India One Jersey‘ starting 1 July. The aim is to convey the message that the team plays as one with one jersey.
The idea, Sehgal says, came about as this is the first event after the IPL where players wore jerseys of different teams.
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
