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ESS hikes subscription rate 33% to Rs 32
MUMBAI / NEW DELHI: It can only be termed a calculated gamble. ESPN Star Sports today announced a 33 per cent hike in its monthly package rate from Rs 24 to Rs 32 per subscriber, effective 1 December.
How the cable fraternity responds to this latest increase remains to be seen but if a big ruckus is raised over the rate increase, it could well add some momentum to I&B minister Sushma Swaraj’s attempts to push through the conditional access systems (CAS) Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Indian Parliament’s Upper House, next week.
Surprisingly Hinduja Group cable MSO IN CableNet took the increased rates as a matter of course. COO Rajiv Vyas said: “The increase does not impact us. We’ve got a two-year revenue outflow contract in place which was signed in March and is valid till 2004. Our payments to ESS are based on this agreement. These are the kind of deals we’ve entered into in most places.”
It needs noting that IN CableNet has an exit clause in the event of CAS coming in. Vyas said: “As far as CAS is concerned there are exit clauses in place since the revenue dynamics would change in such a scenario.”
When contacted, Shamim Shaikh, one of the promoters of the 7 Star Cable Networks MSO that is dominant in the Andheri-Juhu area of west Mumbai, stated that he had yet to receive an official notification from ESS on the matter. He was however, quite categorical that he would be passing on the increase to the subscribers.
ESPN Software managing director Manu Sawhney was quoted in an official release as saying: “We are committed to providing top quality sports content to viewers on our networks. The ever increasing cost of creating and acquiring compelling content and the issue of under declaration, which mars our industry compels us to revise our prices on a periodic basis.”
The price hike seems to be timed just ahead of the upcoming cricket series where India tours New Zealand in December, for which ESS has exclusive telecast rights. However, two things may go against ESS as far as a negotiating ploy is concerned. One is that New Zealand is not a side that gets the adrenaline flowing among the Indian public to the extent that an England or Australia might and secondly the match timings are not favourable. Matches that start at 4 am in the morning are the worst possible as far as viewing choices are concerned.
How the trade responds to this hike will be closely watched by the likes of Star and Sony Entertainment which are expected to make their own announcements as to whether the new year will see them increasing rates or maintaining status quo as the cable industry has been demanding pending the CAS legislation.
It is learnt from industry sources that Star India is also likely to make an announcement within the next two weeks regarding subscription rates for its bouquet of channels. However, it is not known at present whether Star will announce an increase in its bouquet price from Rs 40 per month per subscriber or go in for a freeze of subscription rates.
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.
