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IPL 2023 sees a drop in advertisers: 40% drop for TV, 70% drop for digital during opening match
Mumbai: The uncertain global economic conditions and competition between Jio Cinema and Star Sports for advertiser budgets have resulted in a weak start to IPL 2023. On the opening day, the number of TV advertisers was 40 per cent lower than last year, with only 31 live match advertisers against 52 last year. Digital advertising fared worse, with a 70 per cent drop in advertisers on Day 1 compared to last year when Disney+ Hotstar held the rights. As per media buyers, who carry out competition audit, for digital, the number of advertisers on Day 1 this year stood at just under 50, compared to 160 last year.
It is worth noting that TV and digital advertisers often have different budget profiles, with larger advertisers typically choosing TV and smaller advertisers opting for digital. However, many notable advertisers from last year’s IPL, such as Byjus, Cred, Muthoot, and Netmeds, were absent this year.
Despite the drop in advertisers, media buying agencies expect spending to pick up as viewership data from the opening match has been encouraging. As per Barc, Star Sports saw a 29 per cent increase in TV ratings, with viewership reaching 140 million on the opening day. Jio Cinema reported a peak concurrency of 1.6 crore whereas Star Sports recorded 5.6 crores. Media reports suggest that Star Sports had clocked Rs 2,200 crore in ad revenues just ahead of the start of IPL 2023, while Jio had achieved Rs 1,400 crore.
It is important to note that TV ad rates have seen a decrease this year, and the number of TV sponsors has decreased from 16 to 12 since last year’s IPL. Disney Star holds the TV broadcasting rights for IPL, having spent $3 billion for the period from 2023-2027. Last year’s IPL had around 100 TV advertisers and 200 advertisers on Digital in total.
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.
