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Dsport tops BARC ratings with Nidahas Trophy viewership
MUMBAI: Dsport, which launched last year in February, became the top ranked sports channel according to Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) all-India data in week 11. Rishtey Cineplex attracted a big chunk of the Hindi-speaking audience while competing with pubcaster DD Sports.
DD Sports dropped a slot to the second position with a decrease in rating, from 144541 to 113894 impressions (000s) sum.
Dsport acquired the exclusive India broadcast rights of Nidahas Trophy 2018, a tri-nation international T20 tournament involving India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, in January. Subsequently, Discovery Communications, the broadcaster of Dsport, joined hands with Viacom18-owned mass entertainment channels, Rishtey Cineplex and Cineplex HD, for the Hindi feeds.
Rishtey Cineplex was at numero uno position in the Hindi-speaking market (HSM) with 707855 impressions (000s) sum compared to 545931 impressions (000s) sum last week. In the rural market the channel garnered 460789 impressions (000s) sum and is at the top position. In the urban market, the channel climbed two slots to the second position with 247066 impressions (000s) sum.
In week 10, Dsport managed to plough in 130982 impressions (000s) sum, whereas Rishtey Cineplex grabbed 545931 impressions (000s) sum.
Rishtey Cineplex garnered three times the viewership of Dsport in week 11. As the viewership indicates, the HSM in India is way bigger than the English audience. Dsport being on the top spot in the sports genre has managed to grab 242210 impressions (000s) sum this week.
Rishtey Cineplex became the first choice of the rural people replacing DD Sport in the week under review.
Live telecast of India versus Sri Lanka garnered 9772 impressions (000s) sum while India versus Bangladesh got 8095 impressions (000s) sum on Dsport, according to BARC.
Sony Ten1 climbed a rung to third position even as it witnessed a slight drop in the ratings with 88932 impressions (000s) sum compared with 89983 impressions (000s) sum in the week before. Star Sports First dropped a slot to fourth position with 82582 impressions (000s) sum followed by Star Sports 1 Hindi at fifth position with 36506 impressions (000s) sum.
Viacom18 COO Raj Nayak had earlier stated, “Cricket is much more than a sport in this country, it is an emotion. With this collaboration, we will be taking this emotion to more than 460 million additional viewers in India.”
The viewership of the channels will witness a big jump in week 12 ratings thanks to the thrilling finals featuring India and Bangladesh on 18 March 2018. Investing in cricket has turned Dsport’s fortunes, bringing the channel its highest viewership since inception. On 12 March, Indiantelevision.com reported that Discovery Communications would not bid for the BCCI’s upcoming rights. Maybe it’s time for Discovery to re-examine its strategy for the cricketing properties that come up for bidding in the future.
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.
