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BARC week 10: Nidahas Trophy catapults Rishtey Cineplex to the top
MUMBAI: The newest entrant in the country’s sports broadcasting world–Dsport–has hit a homerun by making it to the second position on the top-five list of Broadcast Audience Research Council’s (BARC) all-India data thanks to its inaugural cricket property. The Discovery India channel acquired the exclusive India broadcast rights of Nidahas Trophy 2018, a tri-nation international T20 tournament involving India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, in January 2018. DD Sports, telecasting the same tournament, grabbed the first position.
After winning the rights, the broadcaster joined hands with Viacom18-owned mass entertainment channels Rishtey Cineplex and Cineplex HD for the Hindi commentary.
Rishtey Cineplex climbed four rungs to the first position in the Hindi-speaking market (HSM) with 545,931 impressions (000s) sum in week 10 of BARC data as compared with 399,725 impressions (000s) sum in the week before. In the rural market, the channel garnered 369,001 impressions (000s) sum and was at the top position. In the urban market, the channel entered the top-five list coming in at the fourth position with 176,930 impressions (000s) sum.
Rishtey Cineplex has managed to match pubcaster DD Sports’ viewership leaving behind Dsport in the urban plus rural (U+R) category. Rishtey Cineplex garnered 10,022 impressions (000s) sum and DD Sports managed to secure 10,117 impressions (000s) sum.
Viacom18 CEO Sudhanshu Vats said that the association with Dsport for the telecast of the Nidahas Trophy had provided Viacom18 with a fertile testing ground for ascertaining the performance of sports on the network.
Being the first choice of rural people, DD Sports has climbed to the numero uno position with 144,541 impressions (000s) sum. Dsport, meanwhile, has managed to climb to the second position for the first time with 130,982 impressions (000s) sum. Live telecast of India versus Sri Lanka garnered 7,263 impressions (000s) sum whereas India versus Bangladesh got 6,627 impressions (000s) sum of according to BARC data.
Star Sports First was at the third position with 94,097 impressions (000s) sum for week 10. Sony Ten 1 dropped three spots and was at the fourth position with 89,983 impressions (000s) sum followed by Star Sports 1 Hindi at the fifth position with 34,928 impressions (000s) sum.
“The future belongs to collaborative broadcasting and this association between Dsport and Rishtey Cineplex is a pioneering initiative that seeks to broaden the horizon of sports broadcasting in India,” said Viacom18 COO Raj Nayak earlier this year.
The channels are likely to carry the viewership momentum in week 11 of BARC data since the tournament concludes on Sunday and, therefore, the matches will still have a bearing on the ratings for the following week.
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Discovery World HD adds Hindi, Tamil, Telugu feeds
Viacom18, DSport join hands for simulcast of Nidahas Trophy
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.
