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Star Sports’ Wimbledon Championships 2024 sets record for most-watched grand slam
Mumbai: Disney Star has set a new viewership record for major sporting events with its coverage of The Championships, Wimbledon 2024. According to BARC, Star Sports’ broadcast of Wimbledon 2024 became the most-watched grand slam ever in India. The total watch time increased by 40 per cent from the previous edition, reaching a claimed 930 million minutes. The 2024 tournament attracted 36.3 million viewers, a reported 176 per cent rise from 2023. The newly introduced Hindi coverage reached 18.4 million unique viewers, contributing notably to the viewership growth in Hindi-speaking regions such as Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, UP/Uttarakhand, MP/Chhattisgarh, and Bihar/Jharkhand.
Star Sports Select 1 and Star Sports Select 2 – Disney Star’s premium sports channels for core viewers – also watched 106 minutes of the tournament on average and clocked seven per cent growth in overall watch time.
Disney Star recorded the highest ratings ever for both the men’s and women’s finals across any grand slam. The men’s singles final, featuring Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, achieved the highest rating for a men’s Grand Slam final, with a claimed 22 per cent increase in TVR compared to the previous highest. The women’s singles final between Barbora Krejcikova and Jasmine Paolini set a new record with a reported 91 per cent increase in TVR from the previous highest, making it the highest-rated women’s Grand Slam final.
Disney Star head – sports Sanjog Gupta said, “Star Sports has taken the tradition and prestige associated with Wimbledon to new viewers this year. Our production efforts entailing live coverage in Hindi, programming efforts entailing improved surround programming and highlights in Telugu and Kannada and marketing efforts entailing a consideration-driving 360-degree campaign have piqued the interest in the ‘Grandest Slam’, fuelling its growth. The enhanced viewing experience served to Tennis fans and viewers of Star Sports Select network has also fuelled a significant boost in engagement metrics.”
All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) commercial and marketing director Usama Al-Qassab said, “Broadening our audience in India is key for Wimbledon to achieve its global targets. Disney Star is a critical partner and has contributed significantly to the exponential growth of the Wimbledon brand which has never been stronger in India. We look forward to building on those results in 2025.”
Indian legend and Tennis Hall of Famer, Vijay Amritraj provided expert insights on the matches and engaged with the biggest celebrities building the Indian context for the tournament including Sachin Tendulkar, Aamir Khan, Rohit Sharma, Sidharth Malhotra, and Kiara Advani. The surround programming shows like Wimbledon Daily Live, Wimbledon Daily Review, and Wimbledon Heroes witnessed a growth of 231 per cent in reach and 71 per cent in consumption compared to the previous edition. The shows and packaged highlights in Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada reached out to an additional 14 million viewers who sampled the marquee property for the first time. The gripping action on the grass courts notwithstanding, Wimbledon 2024 on Disney Star delivered a viewing experience like no other. Star Sports had six sponsors on board for The Wimbledon Championships 2024 – Jaquar, ICICI Prudential, Amul, Castrol Edge, OnePlus, and LIC.
Source:
BARC data for 2+U+R
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.
