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JW Player and Bitcentral join the FAST lane to audience reach and monetization
Mumbai: Bitcentral, the provider of award-winning efficient media workflows for broadcast and digital video, has partnered with JW Player (JWP), the leading SaaS video platform for broadcasters, publishers, and other video-driven companies, to empower JWP customers to find new audiences and drive new revenue streams by delivering free ad-supported TV (FAST) channels to leading distribution endpoints and owned and operated platforms. The collaboration sees JWP harness Bitcentral’s streaming solution to stream video flawlessly, improve audience engagement, and better monetize video content.
Through the partnership, JWP benefits from Bitcentral’s FAST capabilities, which are combined with JWP’s Live and VOD streaming products to enable it to expand content reach across multiple platforms. JWP customers can now reap the rewards of a simplified workflow that boasts FAST channel management and monetization for content operators, with access to global distribution across owned and operated properties and third-party aggregator, vMVPD, and CTV platforms.
“Our partnership with Bitcentral is an important step in evolving JWP’s video monetization capabilities for today’s market,” said JWP vice president – global partnerships Christopher Cunningham. “Through Bitcentral, we can expand our all-in-one video solution with FAST capabilities and monetization. The partnership aligns with one of JWP’s primary goals to enable our customers to extend their cross-platform reach to new audiences highly valued by brands and marketers.”
Bitcentral GM, streaming media group Greg Morrow said, “We are delighted to be working with JW Player to ensure it stays ahead of the curve and delivers winning solutions to customers without the challenges, costs, and complexities of working with multiple vendors. Bitcentral boasts a comprehensive portfolio of tools that are perfect for media companies looking to better connect with audiences and monetize their content – in the most simple and economically efficient way possible.”
“Bitcentral and JWP give customers the infrastructure to disrupt the status quo in the competitive streaming marketplace,” said Bitcentral CEO Steve Petilli.
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.
