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Regional market contributes 22 per cent to Star’s IPL viewership
MUMBAI: The recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) final, aired across 17 different channels on Star India’s bouquet in eight different languages was a smash hit. According to the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) All India data 2+, the contest between MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) garnered 55.6 million impressions.
The 2018 final witnessed a massive growth of 41 per cent as compared to the 2017 one between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) that generated 39.4 million impressions.
The growth in numbers included the contribution from pubcaster DD Sports as well.
The regional market contributing 22 per cent to the total viewership is bound to delight the broadcaster, encouraging it to penetrate deeper into this market next season. Not surprisingly, the Hindi market led with 54 per cent of the viewership share, while English contributed 24 per cent of the total pie.
The total impressions grew 15% from season 10 to 11. Sony Pictures Network with only five channels managed to garner 1.2 billion impressions, whereas Star India with 11 channels for the league matches and 17 channels for the final achieved 1.4 billion impressions.
The top three contests this season were match number one, three and the final. The opening match with 35.9 million impressions saw a growth of 37 per cent compared to opening match of season 10 between SRH and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) which garnered 28.3 million impressions. The third match between RCB and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) clocked 35.1 million impressions.
Star India’s strategy of focusing on regional feeds has worked in their favour. It now remains to be seen how the broadcaster ups the ante for next season of the cash-rich league.
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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.
