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Sony Yay to launch English audio feed
MUMBAI: After building a robust content portfolio for their young viewers and becoming the only home-grown kids’ channel in India with five languages – Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali and Malayalam, Sony Yay is set to add another feather to its cap by soon launching English audio feed.
Indiantelevision.com has learnt that Sony Yay plans to capitalise on the channel’s popularity via merchandising. Earlier, the channel entered into an agreement with Black White Orange (BWO), a licensing, merchandising and brand agency. The deal includes toys, stationery and apparel.
Recently, the channel launched another original show KickO and Super Speedo by investing in excess of Rs 50 lakh per episode.
“KickO and Super Speedo is extremely popular with the kids. The response to it has been phenomenal,” SPN, CEO, N.P Singh said about the show that has been produced by Green Gold animation.
In an earlier interaction, Sony Yay business head Leena Lele Dutta had said that the channel’s initial plan was to come up with a Marathi audio feed instead of Malayalam. The plan could include adding Marathi audio feed sooner or later, but it hasn’t been decided yet.
She added, “We want to explore Maharashtra as it constitutes 14 per cent of our portion [target audience]. But we didn’t want to upset the apple cart right now. We decided to stick to our Hindi feed and [therefore] we saw an opportunity to venture into Kerala, considering its dynamics.”
When it comes to other players in the market, Nickelodeon has also rolled up its sleeves to launch a new show named Rudra, while Little Singham has been Discovery Kids’ latest offering. Taking the plunge into original animated content, the broadcasters seem to been doing interesting work having set high standards.
According to BARC data’s week 23, Nick channel garnered the leadership position with 129549 impressions (000s) sum. Hungama, Disney, Pogo TV and Cartoon Network stood at second, third, fourth and fifth positions with 120088 impressions (000s) sum, 82281 impressions (000s) sum, 80816 impressions (000s) sum and 77470 impressions (000s) sum respectively.
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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.
