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DD ups ante on cricket coverage
MUMBAI: Media focus in the run-up to the ICC Cricket World Cup has been on ambush marketing. Maybe “ambush programming” also needs to be considered. That could well be the sentiment at Sony Entertainment anyways as it confronts a super-aggressive Doordarshan with Harish Thawani’s Nimbus Communications providing strategic back-up.
DD has just entered into an arrangement with News Corp controlled Global Cricket Corporation (the worldwide rights owner) and Nimbus (the revenue management company for World Cup telecasts over DD) to enhance the coverage of the cricket’s premier tournament on the national broadcaster’s terrestrial networks.
The initial agreement DD had entered into covered the live telecast of 16 ‘Big Gun’ matches on DD National (all India matches, 2 Semi Finals and the Final; as also 43 daily one hour Highlights on DD National. The new arrangement covers the telecast of a total of 43 matches, including the ‘Big Gun’ matches, on DD Metro. All matches on DD Metro will be telecast on a delayed basis starting 9:30 am on every day of the Cricket World Cup, which lasts 43 days. What this means is that in addition to the rights for the live telecast of 16 matches, DD has secured the rights for delayed telecast of an additional 27 games.
Nimbus claims that the consistency of timing (9:30 am every day) will enable DD to build viewership during day parts, thereby avoiding a clash of timings with DD’s own prime time programming as well as prime time programming on other channels.
The additional matches will also be covered under the 80:20 revenue share basis with an additional revenue guarantee to DD provided by Nimbus. With this, the minimum assured profit that DD will make from the Cricket World Cup is in the region of Rs 200 million and it will also stand to gain further from revenue share, according to Nimbus.
Says Raju Udupa, associate V-P marketing at Nimbus: “Given the phenomenal response from advertisers for the World Cup on DD and the quick sell out of prime positions, we are happy that the additional matches will help us to serve more advertisers as well as cater to those whose budgets or target markets prevent them from advertising on DD National during the World Cup.”
The ‘Flexi Buys’, ‘Cluster’ buys, ‘Package’ buys and Broadcast Sponsorships options for advertisers will extend to the DD Metro matches as well.
Nimbus will also be providing ‘Frequency Builder’ match bonuses to major advertisers, specially those who pinned their faith on DD with early bookings on the live ‘Big Gun’ matches on DD National.
The additional 43 matches on DD Metro will add about 153 GRPs to DD’s expected GRP delivery of 320 on DD National, making it a total of 473 GRPs, a historic new on Indian television for any single event, Nimbus claims.
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.
