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College Football Playoff semifinal brings in New Year cheer to ESPN
MUMBAI: While it has been just a few days since the year has reigned in, it has already brought in cheer to sportscaster ESPN. The sportscaster’s move to pay $7.3 billion over 12 years including a reported $610 million annual commitment this year has paid off if the TV ratings are taken into account. The two games of the inaugural College Football Playoff semifinals on ESPN on 1 January 2015, delivered the largest two audiences in cable television history claims the channel.
The Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at 5 pm. ET – wherein Oregon defeated previously unbeaten Florida State 59-20, the largest margin of victory in the Rose Bowl Game since 1948 – averaged 28,164,000 viewers (P2+), based on a 14.8 rating, according to Nielsen. On the other hand, the Allstate Sugar Bowl at 9 pm ET – Ohio State 42-35 over top-seeded Alabama – averaged 28,271,000 viewers, based on a 15.2 rating.
Speaking about the spurt in the TV ratings, ESPN executive vice president, programming and production John Wildhack said, “These record-setting numbers illustrate the enormous fan interest in college football and the wide-ranging appeal of the new college football playoff format,” He went on to add that the channel was excited to further build on the success when it showcases the first ever college football layoff national championship on 12 January.
Both games generated an increase over the ESPN bowl games in the respective 1 January time slots a year ago: a 51 per cent increase in viewership for the Rose Bowl Game (vs. 18,636,000) and 150 per cent increase for the Sugar Bowl (vs. 11,304,000). The ratings rose 45 percent (from 10.2) and 130 percent (from 6.6), respectively.
The average New Year’s Six game live on WatchESPN attracted 5,05,000 unique viewers, 26.2 million minutes viewed and an average minute audience of 118,000 – up by 229 percent, 214 percent and 198 percent, respectively, compared to the same dates last year, says the channel.
On social media, four million tweets were sent about the New Year’s Six Bowl games across the two days comprising 70 per cent of all tweets about TV programming in those 48 hours. Additionally, despite the score of the matchup between Florida State and Oregon in the Rose Bowl, it was the most tweeted about game of the New Year’s Six with 2.6 million tweets and ranks as the most tweeted about football game (NFL or college) of the 2014-15 season.
The New Year’s Day semifinal winners – Oregon and Ohio State (both 13-1) – will play in the inaugural championship presented by AT&T at 8 30 pm. on ESPN, WatchESPN and ESPN Radio. In addition, ESPN Deportes will provide exclusive Spanish-language coverage of the championship. ESPN Deportes Radio also will carry game, marking the first-ever national Spanish-language radio broadcast of a college football title game. As part of the deal to telecast the games, the sports caster will telecast seven games a year; four major bowl games, two semifinal bowl games and the national championship game.
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.
