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CBS, ABC, Fox gain; NBC loses in upfront ad sales revenue
MUMBAI: US broadcaster CBS is poised to stop NBC’s traditional dominance as the leader in ad sales at the annual “upfront” market for the 2005-2006 season.
CBS is expected to have secured ad commitments of about $2.6 billion for the upcoming season, surpassing NBC. ABC’s figure has been put at around $2.1 billion. This total reflects an increase in year-to-year potential revenue of more than 30 per cent with approximately $600 million estimated for primetime sports sales, which includes Monday Night Football the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Bowl Championship Series.
Fox is said to have earned around $1.6 billion. While NBC in the past has led the upfront market and earned around $2.6 billion last year media analysts predict that this time around the network stands to lose about $300 million in ad commitments after falling from first to fourth place in the 18 to 49 demo.
Advertisers have shown inteerst in CBS’ two new crime dramas. In Criminal Minds in which a team of FBI experts try to plot the moves of psychopathic killers in advance. Meanwhile Close To Home sees a woman prosecutor tackling crimes behind suburbia’s closed doors.
Media buyers have been quoted in reports saying that NBC was able to generate some interest with the Pentagon drama E-Ring and quirky comedy My Name is Earl. Media buyers though are less than optimistic about NBC’s comic look at a fertility treatment center in the show Inconceivable.
Interestingly ABC’s figure does not include Super Bowl XL which will air next year. This amounts to six weeks of primetime programming. ABC president of sales and marketing Mike Shaw said, “Clients responded very positively to our new primetime schedule, and the incredibly strong performance of our hit freshman series. And the good news doesn’t end at prime. We are also seeing strength in our other dayparts such as news, daytime and early morning.”
Based on the high-quality mix of ABC’s programming and the strong reaction of media buyers to its midseason shows, ABC believes there will be an upside to scatter sales this season. In commenting upon this Shaw said, “Historically, in the last 12 out of 13 years, the scatter marketplace for all networks has seen increases over upfront pricing. So having the right inventory to sell in scatter can give you a strategic advantage.” Shaw noted that ABC’s sales and marketing strategy is predicated upon 52-week revenues.
ABC finished the 2004-2005 season up 12 per cent in total viewers, up 16 per cent in the key Adult 18-49 sales demographic and up 15 per cent among adults 18-34, the largest increases of any network over the prior season in viewers and across the adult demos.
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.
