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Cricket: DD tries upstaging others
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: Even as sports broadcasters grapple with the numbers for Indian cricket’s telecast rights, pubcaster Doordarshan is trying to upstage others by insisting on unbundling of rights into satellite and terrestrial and also exploring a tie-up with ESPN Star Sports.
What is interesting is that despite knowing that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has set a floor price of $ 2.14 million per day of cricket being available, DD has said it would “bid independently too.”
Pointing out that ideally it would like terrestrial rights to be hawked separately by the BCCI, an official of Prasar Bharati, which manages DD, said, “Considering the amount of criticism that we face, we are looking at bidding independently too after studying the tender document properly.”
The floor price set by the BCCI means that for cricket between 120-130 days over a period of four years till 30 September 2009, bidders would have to bid a minimum of $ 278.2 million (for 130 days) and / or $ 256.8 million (for 120 days).
Last year when the BCCI had invited tenders for cricket rights, which got embroiled into legal controversies, Prasar Bharati had put up a bid of $ 150 million, which was higher that than figures quoted by Sony Entertainment TV ($140 million) and Ten Sports ($115 million).
DD also has the distinction of holding the rights for domestic cricket for four years ended 2004 for which it had paid the BCCI approximately Rs 230 crore ($ 50 million calculating at Rs 46 = $1 exchange rate in 2000).
Zee Telefilms, which had emerged the top bidder in last year’s contentious process, had originally quoted a humungous figure of $ 260 million, while ESS was second highest at $ 230 million.
This time round the Indian cricket board expects to make at least $400 million from selling the television rights for matches in India, from 1 October, 2005, till 30 September, 2009.
However, it remains to be seen whether the government would permit Prasar Bharati to put up a minimum bid for the domestic cricket rights this time round.
Still, DD has not rejected informal overtures made by ESPN Star Sports again this time for a tie up envisaging sharing of live cricket, Test highlights and revenue.
Confirming that ESS would bid after studying the tender documents, a senior executive of the company told Indiantelevision.com, “We have always had a good relationship with DD and would like to have a pact like last time.”
Last year, just before bidding opened for Indian cricket, ESS and DD had struck a deal whereby if the latter won the rights it would share with DD live the one-day matches, while making available highlights for the Test matches.
Marketing was to be done independently by the two sides, while DD would have given a lion’s share of the ad revenue it mopped up. However, that pact could not fructify last year.
Meanwhile, according to the tender document floated by the BCCI a successful bidder would have to cough up upfront 7.5 per cent of the bid amount. A security deposit of $ 300,000 has also been mandated.
BCCI is also offering a 25 per cent discount on matches involving Bangladesh and Zimbabwe and the deadline for submission of bids is 23 August.
Interestingly, while the BCCI has not reverted yet to DD’s request of selling terrestrial rights separately, it has excluded rights for broadband and wireless from the broadcast deal.
The Board has also said that marketing companies would not be allowed to bid for the rights, which means that the likes of Nimbus and TWI/IMG are not eligible.
The successful bidder would also have to provide live coverage of an unspecified number of domestic matches as may be required by the BCCI.
The successful bidder would also have to ensure that all international matches be shown live on a ball- to-ball basis without any interruption and without any scroll running on the screen (a common practise these days).
It has also to be ensured that no replay during the match be interrupted through advertisements or commercials.
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.
