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Australian Open 2026 streams live on Sony LIV
MUMBAI: When the balls fly and the summer sizzles, Sony Liv hits play. The streaming platform is bringing the Australian Open 2026 live to Indian screens, offering front-row access to the first Grand Slam of the tennis calendar from Melbourne Park.
As the season’s opening major unfolds under the Australian sun, Australian Open once again sets the tone for the year in world tennis. From reigning champions and world No. 1s to rising challengers, the tournament promises its familiar mix of fierce rivalries, five-set drama and late-night thrillers for fans following the action from India.
SPNI head of digital Ad sales and Youtube business Ranjana Mangla said, “Tennis holds immense value for us, both from a subscription and advertising monetisation perspective. By engaging a dedicated audience cohort year-round, we keep our super-premium viewers actively connected. The Australian Open is one of the marquee sporting events that draws passionate fans in India. For the 2026 edition, Sony LIV is thrilled to showcase top-tier tennis alongside esteemed brands such as Tourism Australia, Mastercard, Smallcase, and Rolex. These partnerships not only amplify the tournament’s appeal but also reinforce the strong connect it shares with our audience. As we kick off the sporting calendar, our goal is to deliver an immersive viewing experience for fans while creating meaningful opportunities for our partners to tell their brand stories on our platform.”
Reinforcing the scale of the broadcast, Sony Liv has lined up a strong roster of brand partners for the 2026 edition. Tourism Australia joins as co-presenting sponsor, spotlighting the country’s pull as both a sporting and travel destination. Mastercard comes on board as co-powered-by sponsor, while Smallcase partners the coverage. Luxury watchmaker Rolex adds polish through inventory placements during the broadcast.
Tourism Australia country manager for India and Gulf Nishant Kashikar said, “India’s evolution into a multi-sport nation is truly influencing travel behaviour, with global sporting events emerging as a key passion point for travel decisions. Travellers are seeking experiences centred around major tournaments such as cricket and tennis, combining sport with destination-led travel. Tourism Australia’s long-standing association with Sony LIV has played an important role in showcasing not just the sport but also the destination, highlighting how major sporting moments can offer compelling reasons to travel and watch the game live at some of the iconic venues. This trend is expected to strengthen in 2026, with growing interest in attending global sporting events like the Australian Open, Formula One Grand Prix, Big Bash League, etc. while also engaging with Australia’s broader offerings across nature, adventure, food and culture as part of a more immersive travel experience and creating memories that lasts a lifetime.”
For Sony Liv, tennis continues to be a premium draw, attracting a young, urban and affluent audience that tunes in for marquee global events. With digital access deepening engagement, the Australian Open has grown into one of the most anticipated fixtures on the Indian sporting calendar, followed closely not just for international icons but also for emerging Indian talent.
Executives at Sony Pictures Networks India underlined that the tournament plays a strategic role in keeping high-value subscribers engaged at the very start of the sporting year, while offering brands a high-impact platform around live, appointment viewing.
Mastercard vice president of marketing & communications for South Asia Lavani Agarwal said, “Mastercard has a long‑standing legacy of bringing people closer to the moments they truly value through our iconic Priceless experiences. Sports remain one of our most powerful passion points, and we are excited to continue our association with the Australian Open, one of tennis’s most prestigious tournaments, creating memorable and meaningful experiences for fans across the globe. We are equally delighted to collaborate with Sony LIV and leverage its significant reach to highlight the ease, safety, and effortless style of Mastercard’s mobile contactless payments making everyday transactions smoother and more intuitive.”
The association also reflects a broader trend where global sporting events are increasingly influencing travel and lifestyle choices, with tennis joining cricket and motorsport as a passion point for experience-led audiences.
As matches stretch into the early hours and storylines build across fortnight-long battles, Indian fans can catch every serve, rally and match point live on Sony Liv where the Australian Open 2026 is being served fresh, fast and straight from Melbourne.
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.
