News Headline
Sports channels see marginal rise in viewership due to IndvsNZ, Australian Open
MUMBAI: Sports is the most preferred genre by viewers and advertisers after GECs and movie channels, and cricket most-watched sport all of them. This had become more evident during the third T20 match between India and New Zealand due to the marginal increase in the viewership of Sports channels, according to the Broadcast Audience Research Council India week 4 data.
Out of the top five sports channels, STAR Sports 1 Hindi has bagged number one spot in week 4 (25-31 January) of BARC, and has received at least 378958 weekly impressions. On the second spot on the chart, DD Sports that achieved 103110 weekly impressions, all thanks to India and New Zealand's nail-biting third and fourth T20 matches that were broadcasted on the government-owned channel.
Though STAR Sports 1 Hindi was ranked first, the other two channels of the Star group such as STAR Sports First and STAR Sports 3 have been positioned at third and fifth spot respectively in the list of week 4. Dominating the sports genre, STAR’s all three channels combine have gained over 5 lakh weekly impressions, according to the latest BARC data.
Apart from cricket, the other important sporting event — Australian Open was also televised in week 4. Precisely, the quarter and semi-final matches took place in the week 4 data of the BARC. Australian Open 2020 helped Sony Pictures Networks’ Sony Ten 1 to gain viewership, which received 62824 weekly impressions in the latest BARC report.
The marquee sports events that are scheduled at both domestic and international this year are ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, IPL 2020, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Olympics 2020, UEFA Euro 2020.
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.
