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Sony records 41 million TV viewers for PVL maiden season
Mumbai: The inaugural season of RuPay Prime Volleyball League (PVL) reached 41 million television viewers across 24 games, according to data shared by broadcaster Sony Sports Network. The season concluded when Kolkata Thunderbolts defeated Ahmedabad Defenders on 27 February.
Seven teams including the Ahmedabad Defenders, Bengaluru Torpedoes, Calicut Heroes, Chennai Blitz, Hyderabad Black Hawks, Kochi Blue Spikers and Kolkata Thunderbolts participated in the month-long competition that took place in Hyderabad.
The matches were broadcast by Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV in India, while Willow TV telecast the matches internationally in the US. The league was also streamed live on Facebook outside the Indian subcontinent.
“The first season of RuPay Prime Volleyball League has had a successful start with the tournament being live telecast in five languages and attracting a host of advertisers in its inaugural edition,” said Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer distribution and head – sports business Rajesh Kaul. “In spite of clashing with multiple sporting events taking place at the same time, the league managed to hold its own with 41 million viewers. With a large number of volleyball fans in the country and the appealing format of the league, it has the potential to attract more fans & grow even more.”
The league managed to reach 84 million fans across India, along with over five million engagement from audiences around the world through various digital platforms, said the statement. The social channels through which the league was promoted included Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
The regional audience was also reached through social media platform Sharechat and its short video platform Moj. In total, the videos distributed across social media platforms garnered over 43 million views.
“We were confident that we would get decent numbers on television, but the digital numbers are just unprecedented,” said Baseline Ventures managing director Tuhin Mishra. “The athleticism and high adrenaline action have really captured a substantial fan base among younger viewers, and that reflects in the huge number of videos consumed online. It’s a great sign for the league and the sport of volleyball. The viewership of the RuPay Prime Volleyball also reflected gender inclusivity with 43 per cent of the viewers being female.”
Spectators from 27 different countries engaged with and viewed the Prime Volleyball League during the first season, shared the company.
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.
