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ESPN looking to extend programming franchise with second film
Los Angeles: In the US ESPN is making a serious endeavour to extend its brand to more than just sports broadcasts and related events. The broadcaster has announced that its second original, made-for-television movie, The Junction Boys an ESPN Original Entertainment (EOE) production is set to begin production on 16 September in Australia. It will premiere on ESPN on 14 December 9 pm ET.
An official release informs that EOE, the newest ESPN programming franchise, is developing a wide-variety of branded programming outside of the network’s traditional event and sports news genres. Using vehicles including reality-based shows, documentaries and game shows ESPN is looking at broadening its audience by appealing to younger and casual sports fans. In addition, the company is exploring new ways to connect with consumers by applying these projects across all platforms of the ESPN family — television, Internet, radio, etc.
The release says that ESPN’s first original made-for-television motion picture A Season on the Brink was seen by an average of 3,419,000 households and earned a 4.0 rating, when adding the simultaneous audiences on ESPN and ESPN2. The movie earned a 3.45 rating on ESPN (representing 2,964,000 households in the average minute) and a 0.55 rating for the ESPN2 version (455,000 households).
Actor Tom Berenger will play the role of coach Paul “Bear” Bryant in the new film. Based on the best-selling book by Jim Dent The Junction Boys is inspired by the true story of 35 players who survived Coach Bryant’s harrowing Texas A&M pre-season college football training camp in desolate, drought-ridden Junction, Texas in 1954.
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.
