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ESS lays claim to India cricket telecast rights
NEW DELHI / MUMBAI: Seeing what it had assumed till now was a deal done and sewn up suddenly having slipped out of its grasp, ESPN Star Sports has raised objections to Zee Telefilms’ bid for the India cricket telecast rights — the highest at Rs 12.06 billion.
In response to the news of Zee’s pulling the rug under its feet, broken first by indiantelevision.com, ESPN Software managing director RC Venkateish has offered three reasons why the sports broadcaster should still be awarded the rights:
1) The tender document issued by the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) lists the successful telecast of live and delayed international cricket events for a period of at least two years as one of the eligibility criteria. This disqualifies Zee from the bid process, is the argument.
2) ESS has entered into an agreement which best protects the interests of national broadcaster Doordarshan. The deal offers DD Rs12.5 million per One-Day International in Year 1, Rs 15 million in Year 2, Rs 17.5 million in Year 3 and Rs 20 million in Year 4 of the contract. There is also an 80:20 revenue share for earnings above the minimum gauranteed sum built into the deal.
3) ESS has proven expertise of over 10 years of developing sporting properties, including cricket.
According to Venkateish, if these three points are kept in mind, as well as the fact that it was ESS (and not Sony as was reported in indiantelevision.com’s earlier report) that had the second highest bid, the BCCI should still award it the rights.
Venkateish’s contention is that the reasons stated and the fact that ESS’ bid was “just 10 per cent off” Zee’s quote when taken together make for a compelling case.
Though Venkateish refused to commit on any figures, indiantelevision.com has culled some numbers from industry sources. This is how it breaks up in dollar terms:
| Zee Telefilms |
$ 260 million
|
| ESPN Star Sports |
$ 230 million
|
| Doordarshan |
$ 150 million
|
| Sony Entertainment |
$ 140 million
|
| Ten Sports |
$ 115 million
|
Interestingly, though Zee officials preferred not to respond to ESS’ assertions, industry sources say Zee had also tabled a revenue share deal with DD before the bidding started. The offer is a Rs 12.5 million MG per ODI plus an 80:20 revenue share.
And speaking strictly legally, if it comes to that, Zee is likely to put forward the argument that it has produced live cricket in the US within the last two years, industry sources say.
For more on this story as it unravells, stay tuned.
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.
