News Headline
IPL clocks 269 million viewers in opening week: BARC-Nielsen
NEW DELHI: Dream 11 IPL has started with a bang as the much awaited tournament clocked over 269 million viewers in its opening week, as per the BARC Nielsen data. The tournament clocked over 60.6 billion viewing minutes across seven matches and 21 channels.
The viewership, this year, was higher despite one less match played in the opening week and also the tournament was showcased on fewer channels in comparison to 2019. As per the data, there are 21 TV channels presenting IPL in 2020 in comparison to 24 channels that showcased the matches in 2019.
Interestingly, in 2020, the tournament also witnessed 15 per cent growth in the viewing minutes over 2019. There is also a growth of cumulative reach of one percent and 21 per cent growth in average impressions per match. In 2019, there were 32.2 million impressions per match whereas 2020 clocked 39 million impressions per week.
Match 1 (Mumbai Indians vs CSK) clocked 11.2 billion viewing minutes along with 52 million impressions and a cumulative reach of 158 million. All the three parameters performed better than the last year as there was a growth of 65 per cent in viewing minutes, 29 per cent in average impressions and 21 per cent in cumulative reach.
Match 2-7 clocked an average of seven billion viewing minutes with each match garnering at least 34 million impressions and a minimum of 100 million cumulative reach.
44 per cent of the television households watched the game live with over 57 per cent of male audience in it. The data indicates that there were over 11 million more viewers per match when compared to the last year.
Interestingly, the total advertising volume for IPL 2020 opening week was 15 per cent higher than the last year. There was a significant increase of 19 and 22 per cent in the advertiser and the brand count.
And finally, on the OTT front, the overall user base saw a growth of 32 per cent. Disney + Hotstar user base grew by 99 per cent during this time and fantasy sport apps also witnessed a surge of nearly 80 per cent. The smartphone usage and video streaming went up by 8 and 13 per cent during this period.
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.
