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IPL 2023: Television still the champion but digital medium making inroads into viewership, says Arun Dhuma
Mumbai: While Star Sports Network maintains its stronghold with a huge 47 per cent growth in comparison to last year, digital rights owner Viacom has gone all in on providing an improved viewing experience to the fans.
A new era in sports broadcasting began through the 16 edition of the Indian Premier League with two separate platforms telecasting the most popular cricket league in the world. While Star Sports Network continues to cater to the television audience, JioCinema, after snatching away the digital rights from Star Sports Network’s Disney+Hotstar, is providing free streaming service to the fans on the OTT app. Both networks have seen encouraging numbers in the initial stages of IPL 2023.
While Star Sports Network maintains its stronghold with a huge 47 per cent growth in comparison to last year, digital rights owner Viacom has gone all in on providing an improved viewing experience to the fans.
IPL chairman Arun Dhumal says that despite the relevance of television in the country, digital medium has an appeal to it.
“The game has to innovate for everyone. Everything about the game has to revolve around the fans. The idea was to make it more enriching for the fans. We had a different set of auctions (for media rights), we have two amazing partners.
“A lot of markets need to be captured as far as the global audience is concerned. We will reach out to the fans globally,” said Dhumal.
Considering the digital revolution taking place in India and around the world, will TV remain relevant?
“Digital is changing the landscape so there will be more takers for digital but given the depth and reach of the television it still has a great market in India,” he 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.
