MAM
BBC claims excellent response to interactive Olympic service
MUMBAI: UK viewers have taken to the beeb’s interactive service for the Olympic games in a big way. Over six million viewers have pressed the red button to use the BBC’s interactive Olympic services so far.
The figures, which have yet to be consolidated, show that 6.13 million people have used the service for more than one minute since the opening ceremony on 13 August. By pressing the red button viewers can choose up to four extra sports to watch during the Olympic Games.
The figures show that 50 per cent of the available audience have pressed red to interact. The previous highest figure was during this year’s Wimbledon when 4.1 million people went interactive for one minute or more.
During the Commonwealth Gamesm a couple of years ago, 3.4 million viewers went interactive.
BBC Sport’s head of new media, sports news and development Andrew Thompson added, “The Olympics are perfect for interactive television, because, there are so many events happening at the same time. Before we had the interactive option, hundreds of hours of footage disappeared down a black hole.”But now with interactive television, viewers have up to four extra sports to choose from and, judging by the initial figures, they are taking full advantage of that.”
Over 10 million viewers tuned in for the opening ceremony on BBC Sport in the UK. Nearly four and half million watched Britain’s synchronised diving duo Leon Taylor and Peter Waterfield take silver in the 10-metre event on BBC Two.
Brands
Hiili names Sanjay Hemady as country manager India
Media veteran to drive digital decarbonisation push
MUMBAI: Climate tech firm Hiili has announced its entry into India, appointing industry veteran Sanjay Hemady as India country manager to steer its growth in one of the world’s fastest-expanding digital markets.
Hemady, a familiar name across India’s media and consulting circles, will lead Hiili’s India operations from Mumbai. His mandate is clear: help Indian companies measure, manage and reduce the carbon emissions generated by their digital services.
Hiili offers a scientifically validated platform, certified by the UC3M-Santander Big Data Institute, that enables businesses to improve the efficiency of their digital infrastructure while cutting emissions. As organisations race to meet ESG targets, the company positions itself as a practical bridge between climate pledges and measurable action.
“I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as country manager, India at Hiili,” Hemady said in a LinkedIn post, adding that the company aims to move beyond broad sustainability promises towards precise, science-based decarbonisation.
Hemady brings more than three decades of experience spanning print, television, radio and digital media. He has previously served as chief executive officer at HIT 95 FM, assistant general manager at CNBC TV18, and held leadership roles at MTV India and The Indian Express, among others. Most recently, he worked as an independent business consultant advising firms across media and technology.
With India’s digital economy expanding at pace, the environmental cost of data, streaming and online services is climbing quietly in the background. Hiili’s bet is that carbon efficiency will soon sit alongside cost efficiency in boardroom conversations.
For Hemady, the move marks a shift from selling airtime and ad inventory to championing climate accountability. If successful, Hiili’s India play could make digital growth not just faster, but cleaner too.
