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IPL: Media rights race hots up after IMG renews events deal
MUMBAI: IPL events rights holder – the International Management Group (IMG) has reportedly renewed its partnership with the Indian Premier League (IPL) for another five years. For the last 10 years, the UK-based organisation is the primary controller of the main events related to the IPL.
IPL media rights’ race too seems to be getting intense with Amazon, Facebook, Discovery, Jio and Twitter in the fray
IMG had been the official events rights holders since 2008 outliving bidders such as Rhiti Sports, Wizcraft, and Group of 4, with a Rs 270 million per year deal. The deal value in 2009 was escalated to Rs 330 million.
Expecting another windfall, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has meanwhile invited tender for media rights to the IPL for the five-year period from 2018 wherein television and digital media rights both would be auctioned. The deadline for buying tender documents is 24 August and the auction process will close on 28 August with results being announced the same day.
Eighteen top guns from across the globe purchased tender documents last year. Sony Pictures Network (SPN) holds the television rights (2008-2017) whereas Star India holds the digital rights.
The new race seems to be getting hotter by the day. According to the new process, digital and television rights both will be for a period of five years period. The bids will be classified into three categories — subcontinent digital rights, subcontinent television rights, and Rest of the World media rights — and five territories.
While it is anticipated that Star India and SPN may fight for the television rights in the subcontinent region, Discovery reportedly stated it will join the auction for the sake of DSport. The digital rights war too is anticipated to be neck-and-neck as video-streaming portals will be seeking to tap the huge potential in India.
With Hotstar by its side, while Star has done a worthy job in the last two seasons, Jio which has seen a phenomenal growth in its customer base is eventually among the frontrunners for the rights. Twitter and Facebook depend on tremendous subscriber growth and deep pockets to pocket the new IPL deal.
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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.
