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Sun TV Network signs ‘pay per view’ deal with iTunes and YouTube
MUMBAI: In a major initiative, the south Indian broadcasting giant Sun TV has signed a mega deal with YouTube and iTunes to monetise its vast content libraries. The group’s proprietary content will be available to people across the globe on a ‘pay per view’ basis.
“Sun TV has a wide ranging repertoire of content, with its channels offering almost every genre of entertainment with the exception of sports and business news,” Sun TV group CFO SL Narayanan told indiantelevision.com. He also added that a total of more than 25,000 hours of content would be available for viewing on both the platforms.
In a growing internet world, Sun TV is looking at creating a mark for itself through its variety of programming.
“This initiative positions Sun TV very well and much ahead of the shifts anticipated in buyer behavior with regard to consumption of entertainment services. More and more people are accessing content through mobile devices while on the move and over the internet. We believe that the revenues from these new formats could accelerate rapidly once smart phone penetration picks up in India,” says Narayanan.
Apart from these two distribution platforms, Sun TV has also inked a deal with Mumbai based Purple IFE to license its popular Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Telugu programmes as in-flight entertainment on leading airlines such as Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Air India, Etihad, Jet Airways, Oman Air, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Gulf Air and Qatar Airways.
The broadcaster says these airlines carry a lot of south Indians who would consume its content.
According to industry sources, the network would be looking at making approximately Rs 15 to Rs 20 crore through both the deals depending upon the kind of content that it offers to viewers and its currency.
“What’s called as catch up TV – which is episodes being uploaded as soon as they go on air – has good revenue generating potential as compared to catalogue content which adds to the volumes,” says a media observer. “Many of the TV shows are available on torrent sites online at no cost, which viewers download and watch. Sun TV can optimise its revenues on Youtube if it can attract viewers to its legitimate content – and away from these torrent sites.”
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.
