News Headline
ISL: BritAsia TV bags UK FTA rights, plans Amazon Prime debut via Yupp TV
MUMBAI: BritAsia TV, a platform leader for British Asian music, entertainment and politics, has secured exclusive rights to show the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) in a multi-year deal on free-to-air UK television. The deal was brokered by the Birmingham-based sports agency Sporting Group International.
BritAsia TV will shortly be introducing itself on both the Amazon Prime, Smart TV and Apple TV platforms via online streaming service Yupp TV, making its potential reach enormous and accessible to all.
Renowned as one of the most up and coming leagues in world football, 95 games from India’s premier football division will be shown on the channel from 17 November 2017.
BritAsia TV will feature a triple header of games each week, beginning with delayed ‘as live’ coverage from the ISL on Friday and Saturday evenings, followed by a live broadcast on Sunday afternoon. With the UK’s Asian population now topping 4.4 million, an expectant audience now awaits.
Details of BritAsia TV’s coverage will be announced in due course.
The League this year will feature a number of familiar faces to football fans from the UK, amongst those former Ireland and Tottenham legend Robbie Keane will be wearing the shirt of reigning champions Atletico de Kolkata whilst the former England and Manchester United Wes Brown is due to line up for Kerala Blasters.
BritAsia TV, which has been broadcasting on Sky TV channel 824 since 2008, is now available on Vision TV Freeview, online at VisionTV.co.uk as well as Virgin TV.
BritAsia TV MD Tony Shergill said: “Our household brand amongst the Asian community is keen to support and promote the cultural identity and voice of British Asians. This (rare free-to-air football rights’) acquisition will open up a new audience to our station as we head towards our tenth anniversary.”
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.
