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Nimbus, EchoStar sign North America cricket deal
MUMBAI: One big international territory has already been accounted for – Sky Sports in the UK. Now the US territory is taken as well. Nimbus Sport and EchoStar Satellite last night signed an agreement granting the American DTH telecast major exclusive broadcast rights of Indian cricket from March 2006 to March 2010.
The rights include television, radio and broadband and internet for the territory of North America, including Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean Nations, for all BCCI matches in India from 2006 to 2010. Ten international cricket series and four domestic cricket seasons are included in the package starting with the India v England series that kicks off tomorrow. No financial details of the deal are available.
It is worth noting here that EchoStar was among the nine companies that submitted tenders for India cricket telecast rights (which Nimbus finally won with a $612.18 million composite bid). EchoStar’s $35 million tender was for US, Canada, Caribbean all media and for international broadband rights outside India.
Said Michael Kelly, executive vice-president, EchoStar, “EchoStar is pleased to reach an agreement with Nimbus Sport to provide exclusive North American rights to broadcast through radio, television and broadband the Board of Cricket Control India’s 2006 – 2010 cricket matches occurring on Indian soil. Already an active distributor of cricket for more than 10 years to the South Asian and cricketing community living in the Americas and the US leader in importing international television channels, EchoStar continues to demonstrate its commitment to the success of the sport of cricket in North America.”
Two more sponsors signed
Meanwhile, Nimbus signed two more broadcast sponsors — General Motors and Indian Oil — on day two of business discussions. This takes the total signed on to five broadcast sponsors. It had earlier signed Reliance Infocomm, TVS and Coca Cola.
States Raju Udupa, Nimbus – Media Solutions VP, With five of the eight broadcast sponsorship positions already booked, the ODI series inventory over 80 per cent sold out and the Test Series booked over 70 per cent, the market has clearly given a thumbs up to cricket, our choice of platforms and the pragmatic rates we have offered.
It is expected that the last three broadcast sponsorship positions will be contracted in the next couple of days and will come on from the second Test, states an official release from Nimbus.
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.
