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ESPN to add user-generated content to new streaming service, targeting younger viewers
MUMBAI: ESPN is stepping into the future of streaming, and it’s not coming cheap. In a bid to capture younger, digital-first audiences, Disney’s ESPN is planning to integrate user-generated content into its upcoming flagship streaming service, set to debut later this year.
While the specifics remain under wraps, sources confirm that ESPN subscribers will eventually be able to upload their own content to the platform. Chasing Youtube? Taking a shot at Instagram? Arriving fashionably late to the game? Maybe. But ESPN has long been the go-to for die-hard sports fans, so if they filter out the fluff and actually build a platform that celebrates real sports content, they might just score big. However, don’t expect to upload your highlight reels at launch. The company is pushing to roll out the service before the NFL season kicks off in September, but no official date has been revealed yet. When pressed for details, ESPN remained as tight-lipped as a coach before the championship game.
Disney has reportedly explored the possibility of adding user-generated content to Disney+ as well, taking cues from Youtube, the streaming giant that dominates the market. Youtube, a subsidiary of Alphabet, holds an 11.1 per cent share of total TV usage in the U.S., according to Nielsen. With Youtube’s creator-led model proving highly effective, it’s no surprise that ESPN and other media giants are considering ways to tap into this trend.
ESPN executives are eyeing a premium price point, with a subscription likely costing either $25 or $30 per month. This new service will bundle ESPN’s linear programming with additional digital perks, aiming to provide a comprehensive sports streaming experience.
An official announcement detailing the service’s name, pricing, and launch timeline is expected in the coming months.
The push toward interactive content underscores a broader industry trend: capturing younger viewers who are increasingly favouring short-form content on platforms like Youtube and Tiktok over traditional live sports broadcasts. With ESPN spending tens of billions of dollars annually on live sports media rights, the pressure is on to keep audiences engaged and subscribed.
As the sports media landscape evolves, ESPN is betting on interactivity, exclusivity, and premium pricing to stay ahead. Whether this gamble pays off will depend on how well it balances its core sports content with the participatory elements that younger viewers crave.
(Cited from CNBC)
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.
