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LG up in arms as Sony stands firm on cricket ad rates
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: Consumer electronics major LG is threatening to serve notice on Sony Entertainment Television and World Sport Nimbus (WSN), the marketing company for ICC-organised cricket, for breach of contractual obligations. LG, along with Pepsi, is one of the global partners at the moment for ICC cricket.
“Our legal department is examining the various issues and we are almost ready to serve a notice on Sony and WSN for breach of contractual obligations relating to sponsors and partners,” Ganesh Mahalingam, marketing head of LG India told indiantelevison.com today.
Though Mahalingam was not ready to come forth with further details, he admitted, “The offer from Sony is preposterous and unrealistic and it does not reflect the true value of the sport or the channel.”
Industry sources pointed out that Sony had earlier made an offer of Rs 350 million, but subsequently hiked it to Rs 600 million and had offered 20 spots of 30 seconds each per match to LG for the cricket matches, which included the upcoming Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka and the next cricket World Cup to be played in South Africa.
This works out to 1420 spots of 30 seconds for 71 matches to be played over the two tournaments. If one takes into consideration this air time, the rate per 30 seconds on the new Sony offer works out to Rs 422,000. According to Mahalingam, just 30 of these matches are of any significance to Indian audiences and hence the rate works out to Rs 1 million per 30-second spot. “This rate is preposterous,” says Mahalingam.
According to industry sources, Sony’s unofficial card rate that is doing the rounds places the rate per 30 seconds at $7,500 (Rs 360,000) for the ICC tournament next month.
Industry sources also indicate that as per the global advertising partnership contract the same offer should be made to all global partners which at present includes Pepsi also, but the number may go up to four. They point out that the contractual terms also indicate that any advertiser who is a sponsor partner like LG will be given exclusivity as far as in-stadia advertising is concerned. As far as television air time is concerned, sponsors get first right of refusal on any rates that are being offered to rivals. Additionally, the sponsors have the right to match any price that a direct competitor may agree to pay for the property.
It is learnt that Pepsi has been offered spots at a much lower rate than that offered to LG which, according to sources, has today sent a letter to Sony saying the offer does not make any sense and the company’s legal department is preparing a detailed note on the offer.
PepsiCo India was not available for comments.
SET which bagged the cricket rights for about $ 255 million spanning six years of ICC cricket, including two World Cups, is slated to air the matches on SET Max.
SET’s view is that it is establishing a new rate for the World Cup. If one factors in issues such as how much the property has cost it, higher C&S penetration and viewership, the rate it is contemplating is not unreasonable is its argument, though it admits it has pitched itself very high. The message that SET is giving to the market is that it will not back down on its price.
The last World Cup, according to industry estimates, was priced at about $6,000 for 30 seconds, which works out Rs 270,000 (at the dollar rate of Rs 45 per dollar then).
Advertising industry sources said that SET is yet to finalise its full and final rate card for the cricket matches and the rates offered to some big advertisers seem to be on the higher side.
They also opined that if global partners of ICC organised cricket come together to “protest” against Sony’s rates, they may be able to get a better bargain.
According to Mahalingam, Doordarshan, which has the terrestrial telecast rights of most of the matches, including all those where India is participating, “is a better bet than Sony at the moment as it’s reach is far higher than SET Max.”
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.
