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CSTV signs agreements with 5 largest cable ops & DirecTV
MUMBAI: College Sports Television (CSTV), the first and only 24-hour college sports network, has become the first new independent network to sign distribution deals with the five biggest cable operators and DirecTV.
CSTV, which now has distribution agreements with Comcast, DirecTV, Time Warner, Charter, Cox, Adelphia and other cable operators, has agreements with distributors representing more than 65 million households nationwide.
“This is tremendous news which caps off a perfect ‘season’ for CSTV,” said CSTV president and CEO Brian Bedol. “The support we’ve gotten from the marketplace is gratifying, and demonstrates that the distribution industry still values programming innovation. The response from consumers, affiliates and sponsors to the broad and powerful appeal of college athletics has been overwhelming. As a result, in less than two years, we have built a company that connects more college sports fans to college sports, across a wider range of distribution platforms, than any other company.”
“CSTV has done a magnificent job of using the latest technology to transform itself into the leading college sports media company and, in the process, change the sports media landscape,” said Pilson Communications president Neal Pilson, a sports television consulting company, and a former president of CBS Sports. “CSTV is that rare independent cable network success story, a network which has found its niche amidst a wave of media consolidation, which is why I am pleased to work with CSTV as a consultant.”
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.
