News Headline
Disney Star produces historical global broadcast of ICC T20 Mens’s World Cup 2024 for ICC
Mumbai: Disney Star is the official Production Services partner of the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the prestigious ICC Men’s and Women’s T20 World Cup editions in 2024. This appointment continues the long-standing association between ICC and Disney Star, to deliver world-class viewing experiences to fans across the world and follows the global broadcast of ICC Men’s World Cup 2023.
Over the past decade and a half, Disney Star and the ICC have collaborated worldwide to deliver several ground-breaking global broadcasts. The ongoing tournament is a historic event with 20 teams playing 55 matches and is the first time a marquee cricket tournament is being played on American soil. Disney Star aims to elevate the viewing experience for the event by bringing viewers closer to the game and its heroes and capturing the myriad colors of fandom. The historic event played across 9 venues, will see 450+ production personnel deployed across the US & Caribbean islands. A robust roster of 90 commentators from 12 countries will build narratives, elevate moments, tell compelling stories, and provide nuanced insights. It will be ably supported by production crews from 17 nations, who will strive to deliver an exemplary global broadcast in 11 languages.
Disney Star head – Sports Sanjog Gupta said, “We’re thrilled to continue our collaboration with ICC as their production partner to bring the glory of their global marquee events to billions of viewers around the world. We remain committed to serving current fans and recruiting new ones across geographies, demographics, and devices by elevating the context of the tournament, taking fans deeper into the contests, enhancing narratives of the competition, and building seminal cultural moments around the ICC T20 World Cups. We hope fans enjoy this historic broadcast produced by Disney Star.”
Steve Smith, one of the commentators on the host broadcast, said, “My first real brush with commentary was with Star Sports earlier this year. Being a part of the roster for the host broadcast of ICC T20 World Cup 2024 is an incredible opportunity and I look forward to contributing with my knowledge of the T20 format and understanding of how the modern cricketer thinks, plans, and plays. I look forward to working closely with production crews from Disney Star.”
Irfan Pathan, one of the commentators for the Hindi broadcast, said, “I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of Star Sports’ historic broadcast for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The Hindi coverage has been the driver of viewership growth and enhanced fan engagement in India. I am glad to see that the Hindi broadcast is being made available in multiple cricket-watching countries around the world including US and UK. I can’t wait to share this unique experience with fans globally.”
Ambati Rayudu, one of the commentators for the Telugu and Hindi broadcast, said, “This tournament will be unique in many ways. With 20 teams, 55 matches, and new venues, it’s a thrilling combination that I eagerly look forward to. Having recently started my commentary career, it was heart-warming to see the response from millions of fans to the Telugu broadcast. I will continue to strive to bring viewers sharp insights and forthright opinions on the game.”
For this marquee event in the Americas, Disney Star has developed a world-class broadcast framework with its core objective of deepening relationships with core fans while growing interest among diverse cohorts of new and casual fans.
Building on the success of the vertical feed at the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023, Disney Star and the ICC will introduce an AI-supported vertical feed for the T20 World Cup —a world first for cricket. In addition to the vertical feed, designed for mobile devices, the broadcast will also entail a feed aimed at making the viewing experience for cricket more inclusive. A parallel service that caters to viewers with partial/complete hearing or sight impairment will also be available. The host broadcaster will also capture off-field moments as well as team and player preparations. It will also deploy the latest technology innovations to bring to fans in-depth analysis and visually compelling storytelling.
In addition to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Disney Star will also produce the global broadcast of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, to be played in Bangladesh starting September 2024.
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.
