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Program Partners clears ‘Crime Watch’ procedural drama block in 60 per cent of the US
MUMBAI: Following the success of its US syndication of Da Vinci’s Inquest, Program Partners has announced that its new Crime Watch initiative has been cleared in more than 60 per cent of the US.
This includes stations in the ABC owned, Viacom, Young and The WB groups. The new two-hour block—consisting of off-network procedural dramas Cold Squad and Stone Undercover will make its debut this week at NATPE in Las Vegas.
Program Partners is a television company that collaborates with networks, sponsors and audiences on original programming. Program Partners’ Ritch Colbert says, “Clearly, Crime Watch has what stations want right now. The hot trend on network television and now in syndication is the procedural crime drama, and our series are critically-acclaimed, award-winning and have budgets of over $1.2 million per episode. That’s creating terrific momentum for us.”
Program Partners created the Crime Watch initiative to provide stations with an ongoing pipeline of new procedural dramas. Cold Squad and Stone Undercover are designed to air in prime-time on weekends, replacing down-trending movie showcases, or in late-night on traditional affiliates, in horizontal or vertical stacks, as a news lead-out or to expand existing procedural drama rotations.
To give stations programming and scheduling flexibility, Program Partners will provide Crime Watch affiliates a choice of satellite feeds, with two different episodes of Cold Squad and one of Stone Undercover available each week.
Cold Squad has Sgt. Ali McCormick leading a team of forensic investigators and pathologists who uncover and resolve long abandoned and forgotten cases.
Stone Undercover is based on the exploits of a pair of commercial crime fighters. The series revolves around the relationship between Tom Stone, an ex-cop, ex-oil rig worker and ex-con who goes undercover, and Sgt. Marina Di Luzio, his boss. Together they catch the bad guys who would normally get away — criminals with influence and money, who think they’re above the law.
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.
