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After Rs 3,000 crore ad revenue haul, Star India eyes bigger pot in IPL 14
KOLKATA: 2020 was a tough year for broadcasters as major live sports events were cancelled. Cricket fever resumed in India with the Indian Premier League (IPL) returning in September after a six month hiatus, which helped rights-holder Star India garner Rs 3,000 crore in advertising revenues, including the digital segment.
According to a Moneycontrol report, the broadcaster saw 100 new advertisers despite the economic slowdown. Hence, it is expected that advertisers will be upbeat about IPL 2021 as well.
While last year Rs 12.6- 12.7 lakh was charged for a 10 second ad spot on TV, Star India is charging Rs 14 lakh for a slot of the same duration this year. The network has already sold out most of the ad inventory this year. Experts project that Star India's TV segment will likely see a 15 per cent jump in ad revenues from IPL 14.
On the other hand, Disney+Hotstar is charging a 20-25 per cent premium for ad rates. CPMs (cost per mille) are in the range of Rs 200-350 depending on the type of advertisements. The streaming service has priced a 10-second spot at Rs 180. BFSI, telecom, d2c platforms, e-commerce platforms and FMCG brands are interested in the slots this year too. Last year, the streamer earned around Rs 400 crore from ad revenues, up from around Rs 250 crore in 2019.
Disney+Hotstar has already signed 10 sponsors for this year's tournament. Dream11 is the co-presenting sponsor, Upstox and Vimal Pan Masala are the co-powered by sponsors. Phone Pe, Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), Unacademy, Pharmeasy, Livspace, Swiggy, and Parle Agro have come on board as associate sponsors.
The network is already raking in the moolah in terms of TV advertisers. Dream11, Byju’s, Phone Pe and Just Dial have signed as co-presenting partners of the league, while Chinese handset manufacturer Vivo has returned as the title sponsor this year.
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.
