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Government to make it mandatory to give India cricket telecast rights to DD
NEW DELHI: Whatever may be the final outcome of the bidding process for India cricket rights, on one thing there is certainty. All matches would be available for viewers of national broadcaster Doordarshan. That is if the government thinking on the issue is implemented.
This flows out of the decision today by the government to have a downlinking policy wherein it would be mandatory that telecast rights of sporting events of national importance be made available to the national broadcaster, which in this case is DD. A senior government official confirmed the development to indiantelevision.com.
Though the rights to the pubcaster are not likely to come free, the dice seems to be loaded heavily in favour of DD and All India Radio.
Whether this would set a precedent in other sectors of the broadcasting business is not clear yet. The broadcast and cable regulator, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), is looking into a case that entails making available channels to all platforms, including cable and DTH, on a non-discriminatory basis under a ‘must provide’ clause.
Interestingly, today’s development came about after information and broadcasting minister Jaipal Reddy had a meeting with senior officials of Prasar Bharati, which manages DD and AIR.The meeting continued till late in the evening.
The decision, which according to government sources is effective immediately, can bring about a paradigm change in the way the media business is managed in India. Similar downlinking laws exist in some other South-East Asian countries, including China and recently even Pakistan.
The government proposes to bring in a proper legislation on the issue very soon, the official said. To take care of any legal issues that may arise in the short-term out of today’s decision (that may also include issues other than sports), the government is likely to promulgate an Ordinance, the official said.
It is also learnt that a committee would be formed to look into the issue of pubcaster DD putting up ‘competitive bidding’ for telecast rights of sporting events, including the telecast rights for the Indian cricket board organised matches in India for the next four years. This committee would include representation from Prasar Bharati and the government.
However, the decision to have a downlinking policy would have to be okayed by the cabinet. ‘This should not be much of a problem,’ the government official said.
PRASAR BHARATI TO SHUN PRIVATE BROADCASTERS
In a related development, the Prasar Bharati board has decided that with regard to the India rights bids it would not have any truck with any other party and would go in for ‘competitive bidding’ independently.
On 14 May, ESS made a presentation expressing its intention to collaborate with DD for India rights. It offered DD live telecast of all ODIs played under the BCCI contract at a fee of Rs 10 million per match, and Rs 500,000 per hour for daily highlights of Test matches. As per the proposal given to DD, ESS would “retain and sell all the commercial inventory on the above programming telecast by DD and share 10 per cent of its total revenue with it.” In return, DD will not be required to bid for television rights or will have to shell out nothing for production either.
Another offer for collaboration to DD also came from Nimbus Communication but it did not involve joint bidding.
Meanwhile, other issues that cropped up during the Prasar Bharati board meet today included pay-scale revision of employees and the finalisation of a launch date for DD’s KU-band DTH service. Prasar Bharati is targeting a 15 August debut, which would also be subject to availability of the Prime Minister for the inaugural function.
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.
