MAM
ESS ropes in five sponsors for English Premier League
MUMBAI: ESPN STAR Sports kicked off the 2005/2006 season of the English Premier League (EPL) with five of Asia’s most recognizable brands as broadcast sponsors of its coverage of the League.
Tiger, Toshiba and Toyota have returned as sponsors for another exciting season of Asia’s most popular TV sport, while Malaysia Airlines comes on board with its first broadcast sponsorship agreement on ESS, stated an official release.
All four brands enjoy regional association with the 2005/2006 season of the English Premier League through a number of multi-level integrated benefits including on-air and online entitlements as well as marketing benefits around all ‘live’ matches and repeats on ESPN and STAR Sports.
In addition, mobile communications provider Celcom has returned for a third year as the broadcast sponsor of ESPN STAR Sports’ EPL coverage in Malaysia on Astro, the release adds.
Says ESPN STAR Sports VP ad sales Charles Less, ” We are delighted to have Tiger, Toshiba, Toyota and Celcom back this season and welcome Malaysia Airlines on board as broadcast sponsors of our coverage of the English Premier League. Our creative advertising solutions, extensive reach and platform provide an excellent vehicle for them to reach out to their audience. We look forward to helping them achieve that and to bringing the excitement of the League to diverse audiences in a fun, interactive and entertaining way.”
Asia Pacific Breweries Ltd Group Commercial director Les Buckley said, “As an ardent football supporter, Tiger Beer is delighted to be sponsoring yet another season of EPL broadcasts. We know how passionate our customers are about EPL football, and our partnership with this premium, international competition serves as an ideal platform for Tiger Beer to stay connected with the millions of fans in the region. Launching this season across the region we will also have Tiger FC, a football club for Tiger Beer drinkers where members can look forward to catching the best in EPL football action at the outdoor viewing parties to be brought to them exclusively by Tiger Beer.”
Toshiba Singapore MD Akio Ozaka said, “Toshiba strives to improve the viewing experience of people watching the exciting live broadcasts of Premier League games throughout the season by offering the very best picture quality in our new flat panel TV displays. As an international brand, we see this as a wonderful opportunity to enhance our brand further and ESPN STAR Sports gives us the platform to do just that.”
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.
