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Rentrak acquires Kantar Media’s US based TV measurement assets
NEW DELHI: Rentrak has acquired Kantar Media’s America based television measurement assets, according to a press note issued by Kantar Media, which also has an arrangement with TAM in India.
Kantar Media welcomed the announcement which represents a joining of forces between two major players in the US audience measurement industry.
The transaction, when closed, will merge Kantar Media’s existing US television measurement client contracts into Rentrak. This will create the benefits of clarity and simplicity for clients in the US TV ratings marketplace with a single, massive and passive TV measurement ratings service.
Over the coming months, Kantar said that it will work closely with Rentrak to ensure the smooth transition of the US television measurement clients in order to honour all existing obligations and maintain a focus on delivering a seamless client service.
Under the agreement, Rentrak will also integrate its national and local TV measurement with a number of Kantar’s US based services that focus on digital media, advertising expenditure and purchase data. This partnership will provide advertisers, agencies, TV networks, MVPDs and local television stations, throughout US, with even more powerful tools to understand consumers’ purchasing habits. This will enable them to link TV habits with purchase patterns and other behaviour in US.
The deployment of return path data from set top boxes has expanded the definition of audience measurement. Kantar Media developed and deployed the world’s first proprietary return path data service in 2004. It claimed that its RPD services had helped TV operators, channels, advertisers and agencies gain granular insight into viewing behaviour.
This announcement, however, has no impact on any of Kantar’s measurement services outside the US. Kantar Media will continue to operate return path data services in existing markets in Africa, Asia Pacific and Europe. Kantar claimed that their commitment to develop and advance return path data capabilities to TV operators across the world has never been stronger. Return path data remains a cornerstone in their ambition to measure TV across all platforms and devices.
Kantar Media’s strengthened relationship with Rentrak underlines the company’s strategic ambition to maximise the market potential for their areas of expertise in the US. These include the recent launch of US TGI and the enhancement of their advertising intelligence (expenditure) capabilities to include mobile and online video advertising tracking – an industry-first.
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.
