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UCWeb: Cricket viewership soars 230%, Lucknow, Pune, Bhopal, Delhi & Mumbai see max traction
NEW DELHI: Consumption of Cricket-related content exceeded 0.75 billion on UCWeb Platforms – UC News and UC Browser, for the latest edition of IPL 2017 and the recently-concluded ICC Champions Trophy 2017.
According to a data report titled Insights into India’s Cricket Frenzy released by Alibaba group’s UCWeb, more than 50 per cent of the country’s population logged on to the UCWeb platforms over the last 3 months for cricket scores and updates.
Cricket makes up for 68% of all sports-related content consumed on UC News. On a daily basis, over three million cricket fans checked into the UC Platform to consume cricket-related content, clocking in seven million hours of cumulative content reading – a jump of 230 per cent from last year.
UC Platform saw the maximum traction from the cities of Lucknow, Pune, Bhopal, Delhi and Mumbai.
UC Cricket, a key component within UC Browser, was first introduced in 2013 to offer news and updates about cricket matches. It has now evolved to become a comprehensive cricket content platform. For the latest cricket season, UC News, content and news distribution platform of UCWeb, introduced a special section to offer comprehensive news and cricket-related content for the users.
The IPL Final was the most watched match of the IPL season with 21 million views and Kolkata Knight Riders emerged as the Most Popular Team of IPL 2017, followed by Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils.
Captain of the National Cricket team Virat Kohli remains the most popular player, clocking readership of over 32 million across 4600 articles. Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khar were the other top-read cricketers.
Alibaba Mobile Business Group Young Li head of international business department Young Li said, “Cricket remains the most popular sport in India with mobile internet driving consumption of digital cricket content. UCWeb has been at the forefront of this change with its revamped UC Cricket and the UC News’ We-Media Blogger Program, a common platform that brings viewpoints from celebrities, bloggers, key influencers and the common man to a single place. This season, over 2000 We-Media writers posted 6,000 pieces of original cricket content on UC News, garnering total Page Views of over a billion.”
Last month, UC News ran an innovative IPL campaign “Match ki Kahaani, Celebs ki Zubaani” with #MasalaCommentary, bringing together multiple celebrities for app-based commentary on the IPL matches. UC News live streamed the chat and activities on its app, garnering a total of over 6.6 million views. Meanwhile, UC Browser is the sixth most downloaded application on Android platform in India with over 100 million Monthly Active Users.
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.
