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ESS’ ratings for FA Premier League Asia Cup
SINGAPORE: Ratings for the FA Premier League Asia Cup confirm that Asian football fans are passionate about the tourney regardless of the teams playing.
An official release informs that the average ratings for the live matches of the first-ever Premier League sanctioned event outside England which aired on ESPN Star Sports (ESS) across Asia and which featured top-level Premiership clubs, are comparable to that of regular season English Premier League (EPL) matches.
While clubs such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal currently drive the popularity of the EPL in Asia, it appears that interest in the clubs who played in the tournament in July and other lesser known clubs is not far behind.
Peoplemeter ratings for the broadcasts of the live matches played by Newcastle United, Chelsea and Birmingham City during the four-day tournament enjoyed ratings consistent with those seen during live broadcasts of EPL matches from the 2002/2003 season on ESS, the release states.
In Singapore for example, live broadcasts of EPL matches during the 2002/2003 season enjoyed an average of 4.7 Television Rating (TVR) points among males 15+ with cable. EPL matches featuring any of the three teams who played in the tournament also enjoyed an average of 4.7 TVR points while average ratings for a live FA Premier League Asia Cup got 3.5 TVR points.
The ratings in Hong Kong show similar consistency with live EPL matches and live matches played by any of the three Asia Cup teams enjoying an above 5 TVR point. The average ratings for the Premier League Asia Cup matches were 2.2 TVR points.
The 2002/2003 season, saw Newcastle and Chelsea each enjoying over 6 TVR points for at least eight matches during the period. Birmingham City saw five of its matches enjoying over 5 TVR points. This is comparable to Arsenal who ended the season with 11 matches enjoying at least 7 TVR points, Liverpool with nine matches and Manchester United with 18 matches.
The release adds that the EPL is the most widely distributed sports programme across Asia. It is seen in over 150 million homes on the ESS network with eight of 10 people with cable in Asia tuning in to the 2002/2003 EPL season.
According to Peoplemeter data, a single EPL match delivers reaches 167 per cent more viewers than all Asian cable news channels combined. While Asia’s sizeable out of home audience remains unmeasured by in-home Peoplemeter measurements, research indicates that 64 per cent watch the EPL outside their homes every week.
Looking ahead, the popularity of these football clubs is expected to rise fuelled by the popularity of the League itself. Viewership of EPL among males 15+ with access to cable and satellite, is projected to grow by 63 per cent from the current 249 million to 407 million over the next ten years.
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.
