News Headline
EC allows joint media rights for Premier League football
MUMBAI: The European Commission’s competition services have reached a provisional agreement with the Football Association Premier League (FAPL) regarding the joint selling of the media rights to Premier League matches.
The Commission has also reached a provisional agreement with BSkyB regarding its recent acquisition of TV rights to those matches.
The agreements will be submitted for third party comments, and will then take effect in two stages. Some changes will be introduced for the start of the 2004-05 season while the new system would come into place in 2006 when the rights are next tendered.
Last year in December, the Commission had warned the FAPL through a statement of objections that joint selling arrangements in place at the time violated European competition rules. This was because they were not in the interest of competition in the broadcasting market or the fans. The Commission has stated that its intervention has already yielded results given that the new tendering process, which took place last June, substantially increased the number of rights available.
The number of live matches broadcast on television in the UK increased from 106 to 138, with an additional game broadcast on Saturday afternoons in Ireland. In addition, all matches not broadcast live will be shown in later. For the first time in the UK, football fans can see all of their club’s matches after a short delay. Video clips can also be delivered to mobile phones as soon as the action occurs during the match, rather than hours or days later as is currently the case. Internet rights and club television rights have also been improved.
The Premier League has now agreed that after 2006 the tendering procedures for TV rights will ensure that there are at least two television broadcasters of live Premier League matches. The Premier League will create balanced packages of matches showcasing the Premier League as a whole, and no one broadcaster will be allowed to buy all of the packages. The Premier League will also examine, jointly with the Commission, the way in which the auctions are conducted to ensure that they do not exclude potential competitors.
But there will already be further benefits for fans from the start of next season. BSkyB has agreed to offer to sub-license a set of up to eight top quality Premier League matches each season to another broadcaster. This means that for the first time in the history of the Premier League free to air television will have a realistic opportunity to show live Premier League matches.
Commissioner Monti issued a statement saying, “As consumer groups have argued, there are very real concerns with the way in which the Premier League has been treating football fans in the UK. I believe that the two-stage approach which has been agreed will safeguard the interests of these fans both now and in the future, while ensuring an orderly transition for the clubs.”
“By creating opportunities for broadcasters other than BSkyB now, and even greater opportunities in the future, the Commission is aiming to increase consumer choice in the UK. Following similar agreements with UEFA this provisional agreement shows that applying the competition rules to sport ensures that the interests of both fans and leagues are fairly balanced,”he added.
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.
