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Nimbus signs on Sahara as India telecast partner for England series
MUMBAI: The third and most critical piece of the India cricket telecast pie for the upcoming India-England series has now been settled with the unveiling of the cable & satellite broadcaster for the India territory as Sahara One.
Sahara One Television will broadcast the India-England international cricket series starting 1 March, and consisting of 3 Tests and 7 ODIs. As already announced, Doordarshan is the terrestrial broadcaster while the England territory rights remain with Sky Sports.
Nimbus Communications, the BCCI’s global media rights partner for Indian cricket till March 2010, today signed a landmark deal with Sahara One Media And Entertainment Limited’s satellite & cable channel in India, Sahara One Television, to broadcast the series.
In addition to the live telecast, Nimbus will be producing wrap around programming pre/post match and during breaks. Nimbus Sport, the BCCI’s appointed producer, will supply the world feed (live coverage) to Sahara One.
As is the case with DD, Nimbus will be exclusively marketing commercial airtime during the series on Sahara One. The ad sales arrangement between Nimbus and Sahara involves an upside sharing beyond specified revenue thresholds.
Shailendra Singh, head of Sahara One Media And Entertainment Limited, said, “We are delighted to partner with Nimbus and Indian cricket in this new strategic initiative to take Indian cricket to the next level. Sahara India Pariwar has deep commitment to cricket and we are sure that our massive reach in cable homes will ensure that this exciting series achieves record-breaking ratings.”
Singh told indiantelevision.com that Sahara would definitely set in motion the drive towards pay after acquiring the rights. “We are working on several things. It is a good combination. We are a general entertainment channel and Nimbus understands cricket. Nimbus will handle the ad sales and we will do a minor portion of it. As a general entertainment channel, we have more connectivity than a sports channel,” he said.
For the present though, given that Sahara One is free-to-air, it also ensures that there are no cable black outs of the channel as becomes the case often with sports channels trying to extract pay TV revenues.
Commenting on the deal, Akash Khurana, MD & CEO, Nimbus, said “Our choice of the Sahara One platform was dictated by the fact that the channel has near 100 per cent distribution in cable homes compared to sports channels that barely reach 50 per cent of cable homes; and by the amazing commitment and vision for cricket of the Sahara India Pariwar.”
In addition to Sahara One’s live broadcast and wrap-around programming, the Sahara One Network shall produce unilaterals that shall be aired exclusively on Sahara FILMY and Sahara News, focusing on the glamour events and behind-the-scenes action respectively around this series.
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.
