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Broadcasters may earn up to $4 billion from World Cup: Deloitte
NEW DELHI: Deloitte has predicted a record-setting World Cup for broadcasters globally with a $4 billion haul.
According to Deloitte Sports Business Group senior consultant Austin Houlihan, “The World Cup is a premium property for free-to-air broadcasters in particular, due to its ability to generate high audiences in many territories. For example, in major European markets, tournament matches typically generate the highest sports audiences in that particular year. The German audience for the 2010 World Cup semi-final between Germany and Spain exceeded 30 million viewers, the first time a single German broadcaster had exceeded an audience of this size.”
“The World Cup’s kick-off times are conducive to driving strong audiences in areas such as North and South America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. As a result, the tournament in Brazil could generate a record global television audience. The 2010 final—Spain vs. Netherlands—was watched by a cumulative global audience of 910 million in-home viewers (measured as people watching at least one minute of coverage), according to FIFA research and if you include out-of-home viewers (e.g. pubs/clubs) the audience was in excess of 1 billion,” he added.
The World Cup’s ability to generate such audiences means that broadcasters and sponsors pay premium rights fees to secure rights to broadcast, or be associated, with the tournament. “The 2014 tournament is likely to generate record high revenues for FIFA, which has forecast broadcast and commercial revenues of around $4 billion, according to the report published by the National Association of Broadcasters,” informed Houlihan.
Deloitte predicts that as well as driving record broadcast and sponsorship revenues, the tournament will help to drive new standards in the quality of broadcast production. Production innovations include some matches being produced in ultra-high definition—4k and 8k—and an increased number of cameras and angles covering matches. The tournament will also cater for the increasing trend for audiences to view content through mobile devices, with greater numbers of viewers being able to access match footage—live, highlights, video on demand, clips—and associated content through their tablets and mobiles.
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.
