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Nelvana & British Telecom partner for video-on-demand deal
MUMBAI: Nelvana, producers and distributors of children’s programming and products owned by Canada-based Corus Entertainment, has inked a video-on-demand agreement with British Telecommunications Inc. (BT) in the UK.
Coming on the heels of recent North American partnerships with Comcast and Rogers (along with preschool broadcaster Treehouse), this deal widens the scope of Nelvana’s on-demand initiatives to include Europe.
Maggie and the Ferocious Beast (episodes 1-15), Little Bear (episodes 1-15), Babar (episodes 1-15), Max & Ruby (episodes 1-15) and The Fairly Odd Parents (episodes 1-15) are among the initial family entertainment programs Nelvana will make available to BT’s next-generation TV offering, slated to launch by late summer/fall 2006, states an official release.
BT customers will be able to access a range of on-demand film, music and television programming combined with interactive and communication features with no mandatory monthly subscription fee. The service will be combining access to digital terrestrial channels through the aerial with broadband-powered video-on-demand, the release adds.
“It’s an exciting time for content producers as the promise of on-demand services and next-generation TV platforms is realized through providers such as BT,” says Nelvana’s executive VP of business development Doug Murphy. “This deal opens the European video-on-demand market to Nelvana’s deep library of animated family programming, and we are proud to have gained this foothold with an innovative partner like BT.”
BT Retail TV Services CEO Dan Marks adds, “We are building a fantastic entertainment offering for the entire family and are very pleased to have signed this agreement with Nelvana, which will bring their extremely popular, high-quality and family-friendly animated programming to our service and our customers.”
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.
