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PKL effect: New difference between Star Sports First’s viewership & nearest competitor is 7X
MUMBAI: Star Sports, the official broadcaster of Vivo Pro Kabaddi Season 5, reinforced its stature, by continuing to draw remarkable viewers — for the second time in a row.
Star Sports First in BARC week 30 registered 148506 Impressions (000s) sum and, this week, it recorded 208354 Impressions (000s) sum leaving behind the second best channel this week by 93431 Impressions (000s) sum, according to BARC’s all-India data analysis.
The Star India’s channel which recently became free to air with sports content lead the pack last week. Star Sports First managed to pocket as much as 148506 Impressions (000s) sum in BARC India week 30 beating the second best channel by around 14000 Impressions. Star Sports First had gathered the viewership from Pro-Kabaddi League (PKL) season 5 which has helped it to reach to numero uno position in sports genre.
According to fresh data provided by Star Sports, across Genre: All India (U+R): 2+ Individuals, at the end of 13 games, the gross impressions are 376 million and the cumulative reach stands at 132 million (16.9 per cent).
The Kabaddi tournament has received a stirring response from both urban and rural markets with rural regions generating a reach of 90 million and urban markets contributing with a reach of 42 million. Star Sports First accounted for 28 per cent (36.3 million) of the total viewership generated during week 1 of the tournament.
The Star Sports press release added: Across Genre: All India (U+R): M15+AB, There has been a significant increase across all core markets with Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka registering a 40 per cent, 34 per cent and 52 per cent growth in viewership, respectively.
Riding on the rising popularity of Star Sports 1 Tamil and Star Sports First channels, Tamil Nadu witnessed a six-times increase in viewership while Uttar Pradesh doubled its viewership. Post 13 games, Vivo Pro Kabaddi Season 5 rated 59 per cent higher than the first 13 games average of Pro Kabaddi Season 4.
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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.
