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Sony sublicences Mideast, Pak territories to Ten Sports
MUMBAI: Sony, which on Friday wrested the international cricket telecast rights (for all countries except the Indian territory) for the upcoming Indo-Pak series, has sublicenced the satellite rights for the Middle East and Pakistan to Dubai-based Ten Sports.
As far as coverage area is concerned, it stretches from Egypt through to the UAE. Additonally, Ten Sports has the telecast rights for Sri Lanka and (for the test matches) Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Europe.
Ten Sports has held the rights for these territories for the last three Indian tours. The deal with Sony continues an arrangement for the Pakistan territory that stretches back to the last cricket World Cup and the ICC knockout tourney.
Cost of acquisition of the rights for Ten Sports: Roughly $ 2.5 million.
Asked for a confirmation on the amount Ten had paid for the rights, SET India CEO Kunal Dasgupta refused to “comment on any figures”.
Queried as to which other regions were important for Sony as far as the upcoming series was concerned, Dasgupta mentioned the US, Canada, UK and South Africa in particular. Dasgupta said that in the US the telecast would be on Dish TV on pay per view (PPV). In the UK, however, the matches would be aired on the Sony network he said. Even on Singapore’s Starhub, it would be on PPV, he added.
PTV ACQUIRES TERRESTRIAL RIGHTS FOR $ 650,000
Sony sold the terrestrial telecast rights for the Pakistan territory after “protracted negotiations” with the state run broadcaster PTV for $ 650,000, the Press Trust of India has reported.
PTI quoted the Pakistan information minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed as saying in Islamabad, “It is quite a costly price, but, in view of the interest these matches generate here, PTV has decided to acquire the rights.”
Earlier, Prasar Bharati had been allotted the domestic telecast rights (following a court injunction) “for free” while TWI had pocketed the production contract for the much touted series. TWI’s fee: $ 1.5 million.
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.
