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China TV ad market grows 20 per cent
MUMBAI: This is a piece of news that should whet the appetite of News Corp and Viacom. The television advertising market in China grew by 20 per cent last year to reach $3.3 billion.
Research and Markets has come out with a study China Media & Entertainment — Part I: Television. The report has stated that the total cable subscription market grew 24 per cent last year to reach $2.2 billion.
The projection for the future is for TV advertising revenue to grow another 22-25 per cent this year. This would put China ahead of all other major countries in television market growth.
On the content front the report expects the programming sector to further broaden. Under the new Sarft policy guidelines, qualified foreign companies will be allowed to own a minority stake in programming joint ventures with state-owned Chinese partners. So it is expected that restrictions on partners’ background and ownership percentage will be eased in the foreseeable future.
The report has noted that the ongoing roll-out of digital channels will give rise to demand for quality content. This will create significant opportunities for both Chinese and foreign content providers. Content will be the king in China as well.
The future landscape of the industry will likely be shaped by three forces: CCTV, dynamic provincial and overseas broadcasters (particularly SMG, Hunan TV and Phoenix), and leading private programming companies that have successfully ventured into broadcasting. Further liberalisation in the near future will create significant opportunities for the likes of Viacom and News Corp.
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.
