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ESPN’s X Games VIII to be seen in 200 countries
MUMBAI: X Games VIII, which claims to be the world’s premier action sports event, is slated to receive the largest worldwide television distribution of any previous X Games event.
The free-to-the-public action sports competition took place between 15 and 19 August in Philadelphia and was featured extensively in the US on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC, which for the first time presented a prime-time X Games telecast, on 18 August between 7 and 9 pm ET, part of 20 hours of original coverage on the three networks.
Meanwhile ESPN International, which owns or operates 25 television networks outside of the US, will televise X Games VIII to more than 113 million households in over 140 countries and territories early next month. In addition, ESPN has syndication agreements with terrestrial broadcasters in Brazil (Globo), Great Britain (BBC, C5), Japan (NHK, FUJI-TV) and Spain (TV 3). Eurosport, the most widely distributed channel in Europe, serving more than 54 countries and 90 million households, will also televise X Games VIII in September.
ESPN International’s distribution efforts, coupled with the extensive coverage that will be provided in the US on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, means X Games VIII will be televised to more than 300 million households in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. Supplemental news highlights and sports anthology programmes could take these figures even higher.
ESPN’s X Games franchise currently includes events in the US and around the world. In addition to the Winter X Games and X Games, which are held in the US, ESPN stages annual international X Games competitions in Latin America, Europe, and Asia, including a six-stop Asian Xtour.
Next year, ESPN will debut the X Games Global Championship, an event that will feature six teams representing different regions of the world – US, Europe, Canada, South America, Asia and Australia – with the goal of crowning an one of them the X Games Champion.
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.
