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ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 to be broadcast in 4K
MUMBAI: For sports in India, nothing is bigger than the World Cup and the official broadcaster Star India is set to make the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 even bigger and better by rolling out an ambitious broadcast plan.
The network will revolutionise sports broadcasting in the country, as it is all set to broadcast certain select matches, including India’s opening match against arch-rivals Pakistan, in the ground breaking 4K format. This will be the first ever global broadcast of cricket in 4K.
Announcing a slew of initiatives, Star India COO Sanjay Gupta said, “The last edition was watched by 90 per cent of TV viewers in the country, making it the largest aggregation of consumers possible. We will introduce many firsts and innovations in sports broadcasting to take the great game of cricket to the next level and provide an unprecedented viewing experience to the millions of cricket fans in India.”
Star will broadcast the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in six languages, making it far more inclusive than any other sporting tournament on television. This will be the first time that the WC will be telecast in Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada, apart from English and Hindi.
With an aim to bring the best of World Cup action through the best of experts, Star Sports’ commentary panel will feature 13 World Cup captains, 20 World Cup winners and 26 World Cup semi-finalists. The likes of Allan Border, Kapil Dev, Wasim Akram, Shane Warne, Mark Waugh, Graeme Smith, Ian Botham, Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar, Saurav Ganguly among others will add to the viewing experience with their expert insights and analysis during the WC. To take the viewer experience to the next level, it will launch a state-of-the-art studio in Mumbai to present the pre and post-match analysis, expert comments and insights.
Never seen before player analytics across 4000 hours of match footage, ball-by-ball data from 600 matches (ODI data from 2010-till date), 200 players and 14 venues will be analysed in new look graphics, keeping the fans engaged 24×7 during the WC. For the first time ever, technologies mounted on sunglasses and wickets will be used during practice sessions to showcase what the players see while batting and bowling, bringing the viewers closer to the game. Drone cameras to give an aerial perspective of the majestic stadiums will be used for the first ever time for the ICC WC.
Star will also add two new HD channels to its sports portfolio, Star Sports HD 3 and Star Sports HD 4, as a lead up to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Star Sports HD 3 will be an all-Hindi HD channel, a first for sports broadcasting, taking the game closer to the cricket loving audience across the country.
starsports.com, will offer live streaming and 24×7 video-on-demand accessible through the web, WAP and apps on 200+ devices, all of which will contribute towards making the action from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 easily and readily available.
Star India’s marketing blitz started with the film with Sachin Tendulkar, invoking India to ‘Chase the Dream’ to win the World Cup again, the most coveted prize in international cricket. The broadcaster’s World Cup campaign, #wontgiveitback followed the film, reflecting the young nation’s attitude and mood for the World Cup. The nation’s rallying call to Team India #wontgiveitback has created high buzz and conversations online. On YouTube the video has garnered more than 7,18,050 views and counting.
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.
