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India’s Siti leads in subs acquisition albeit global slowdown
MUMBAI: The global TV subscriptions have slowed down. Around 100 top-ranking television services in the informitv Multiscreen Index, as compared to the 2016 corresponding period increase of 1.68 per cent (6.90 million subscribers), gained 3.46 million subs amongst them in the first quarter of 2017, an increase of 0.79 per cent.
Modest gains were seen across the board, with Europe, Middle East and Africa up by 0.21 million, the Americas up by 0.85 million, and Asia Pacific gaining 2.39 million, Advanced Television reported. Only 46 in the index of 100 services reported net subs hike. Ten with the biggest gains added 3.58 million amongst them.
Led by SITI, which added 800,000 subs, leading operators in India gained at least 1.67 million amongst them.
Some of the greatest benefits were as a result of reporting changes made by Sky Brasil and AT&T for PanAmericana. Organic quarterly increases were 1.13 million lower.
US’s top 10 services reported total losses of 559,000 subscribers, with only Comcast gaining majorly. For its U-verse service, AT&T suffered the biggest loss, with 233,000 fewer subs.
In the European region, Canal+ lost 109,000 subs in France, while Sky added 73,000 in Germany and 40,000 in Ireland and the UK.
DIRECTV subsidiary did not report any change and also did not report numbers for its DIRECTV NOW online.
Multiscreen Index editor William Cooper says the figures for the first quarter showed the lowest rate of global subs growth they observed. There was still growth in the Asia Pacific region, he said, but at a lower than previous rate.
Analyst Sue Farrell observed that 95 per cent of homes subscribing to Multiscreen services had access to services other than the traditional television.
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.
