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India cricket telecast rights: Zee ups the ante
NEW DELHI: A day after the tenders for BCCI-controlled cricket telecast rights were opened, the action continues to heat up.
Highest bidder Zee Telefilms ($ 260 million) has just upped the ante by committing an additional Rs 945 million for development of domestic Indian cricket, in association with the cricket board.
The Subhash Chandra-promoted Zee Telefilms emerged as the highest bidder for the telecast rights for four years of Board for Control of Cricket in India-organised cricket in India with a quote of $ 260 million. The closest to this punt is ESPN-Star Sports whose bid is about 10 percent lower at $ 230 million.
In a detailed plan for development of cricket, Zee Telefilms has informed the BCCI that not only would it commit additional funds for domestic cricket, but would also partner with the cricket board in turning into reality its dream of taking cricket to newer heights in India and abroad.
Zee Telefilms, which feels that ESS is making unnecessary noises on the bids as it is “feeling the heat from a domestic company”, has said that if it emerges successful in winning the telecast rights, cricket would be on the existing network in the first year, while a separate sports channel has been planned for the second year of the deal that should get flagged off from 1 October, 2004.
Contacted by indiantelevision.com, Ashish Kaul, vice-president, corporate brand development, Essel Group (the umbrella corporate entity for Zee Telefilms and other business ventures of Chandra) said, Zee will ensure that steps are taken to raise the profile of domestic cricket.”
Not only has Zee proposed, according to Kaul, the creation of a centralized marketing programme for domestic cricket, but the network channels would also provide support in licensing and merchandising and packaging and promoting domestic cricket tournaments, thus raising the emotional quotient for fans involvement in Indias international series events.
Zee intends to raise television coverage of domestic matches. It will produce live coverage of over 52 days of domestic cricket each year, possibly extending this to as many as 72 days annually, Kaul explained, while detailing the plans that had been conveyed to the BCCI along with the bid.
As part of this game plan, Zee is looking at producing and telecasting live matches of the Ranji Trophy (both one day and first class), Irani Trophy, NKP Salve Challenger Trophy, DB Deodhar Trophy and Duleep Trophy. The focus will also be on live coverage of select matches from university level and Under-19 cricket.
According to Kaul, it is BCCIs vision that Zee proposes to build and nurture in due course. Considering that Zee Telefilms has the infrastructure and the experience in the broadcasting industry and has been the first broadcaster to enter into cable and satellite households (in India), producing and telecasting cricket should not be a problem.
In executing the telecast plans, Zee Telefilms will have the advantage of its affiliate, ASC Enterprises, that owns and operates Indias first KU-band direct-to-home (DTH) satellite platform as well as Siti Cable, the biggest multi-system operator in the country.This makes it possible for any Zee channel to get instant connectivity in a significant number of cable homes, Kaul said, hammering home the advantages the company holds, which could be put to good use for cricket purposes too.
Zee also claim it is Indias largest overseas broadcaster as it owns and operates three channels in the USA, Canada and the Caribbean, four channels in the UK, two channels in Europe, one each in Africa, Australia /New Zealand, four channels in the Middle East and six channels in the Asia-Pacific.
Lastly, Zee Tele has also pooh-poohed critics who have said Zee, despite being the bidder for BCCI cricket, does not have any experience in producing and telecasting cricket. We have shown cricket quite extensively on our network abroad, Kaul added.
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.
