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IPL has come to the rightful home of cricket in India: Star’s Uday Shankar
NEW DELHI: Star India chairman and CEO Uday Shankar today said that the winning bid figure for IPL media rights of approximately $ 2.55 billion (Rs. 163475 million) was the “right” amount for a property as exciting as the Indian Premier League and justified the acquisition by asserting the competitiveness in bidding in various categories proved it.
“We are delighted to bring IPL to the rightful home of cricket in India and elsewhere,” Shankar said at a post-bid press conference in Mumbai, adding that the eco-system of IPL and sports broadcasting has changed over the last 10 years, which reflected in the figures bid by players anxious to corner a slice of the cricket pie.
“We believe that the IPL is a powerful property and lots of value can be created in the digital (world) and on TV for fans,” Shankar said explaining why Star bid both, for the digital and TV rights of the premier cricket property that was with Sony for the last 10 years.
Shankar drove home the point that, as Star had a strong presence in TV and was also the owner of a robust digital platform (Hotstar), it made sense for the company to get complete rights of IPL.
However, Shankar made no bones of the fact that the company would have to think hard on the strategies to monetise the IPL as pay TV revenues were “highly regulated” in India, courtesy sector regulator TRAI’s new proposed tariff regime.
For the record, Star India had challenged the tariff regime proposed by the TRAI in Madras High Court and a final directive form the court is still pending.
Pointing out that Star would “continue to work within the law” in an effort to get better return on investment, especially now that it has invested heavily in IPL too, Shankar jocularly added, “We’d have to figure out something or we have a problem.”
Shankar was also of the opinion that the Indian consumer had surprised critics and skeptics alike by taking to digital quite well. “As a country, we were told India was not broadband-ready (but) in less than two years India has emerged as one of the exciting markets (for digital players),” he said, adding that a better broadband infrastructure and cheaper data prices would further boost the market for online video consumption in India.
The Indian cricket board, owners of the IPL brand and property, however, skirted questions on Star’s impending monopoly over the broadcast business now that it has also acquired the rights for IPL. Dish TV had written to BCCI and the government warning that if Star won the IPL rights too, it would be in a monopolistic situation to dictate terms to distributors of TV content as Star already had rights of most major cricket properties around the world.
Meanwhile, the man credited with conceiving IPL, Lalit Kumar Modi, now living in exile in the UK, tweeted, “So, Star Sports wins the global rights for IPL. I would’ve hoped for a larger figure. Deserved greater value after 10 years of success.”
Also Read:
IPL chief Shukla recuses from ‘live-streaming’ media rights auction
Jawahar Goel raises alarm of emerging Star cricket monopoly (updated)
IPL tendering process to commence 17 July; bidding to be fierce
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.
