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ESS claims to double distribution reach in China with deals around EPL
MUMBAI: Asian sports broadcaster ESPN Star Sports (ESS) claims to have signed its biggest ever distribution agreement in China, resulting in the English Premier League being broadcast live to over 100 million football fans across the country from this weekend. This is the first time the EPL will be broadcast live nationwide in China, says an official release.
According to the release, ESS has concluded distribution deals with over 20 regional TV stations as well as national channels CCTV 5 and Hunan Satellite, allowing Chinese viewers to see up to 165 live matches from August through May 2003. With this distribution, ESS claims to have more than doubled its previous distribution in China.
China’s national sports channel CCTV-5 picked up the Star Sports Saturday night match, Hunan Satellite TV brought live coverage of ESPNs second Sunday match and Star Sports Monday night match beamed to a national audience of over 100 million cable households, claims the release.
The ESPN service is one of only three foreign channels approved to supply programming to Chinese broadcast partners direct 24 hours a day, STAR Sports is available through all hotels, says the release. The season opener on ESPN saw newly promoted Manchester City visiting Leeds United (shown live at 9:55 pm on 17 August ). On Star Sports, popular club Manchester United played host to West Bromwich Albion on the same day.
Besides match coverage, ESPN STAR Sports will also air daily EPL coverage in prime time as well as daily news on SportsCenter, Asias top daily sports news service.
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.
