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TV rights slump explored in Sportcal’s European soccer report
MUMBAI: At least three of Europe’s top five soccer leagues will shortly have to begin negotiating the sale of their television rights in a market in which there is likely to be only one pay-television bidder.
This information is contained in The European Soccer Report published by sportcal.com. The report examines the level of rights fees that the leagues expect to achieve in the new negotiations as well as the manner in which alternative approaches to packaging and selling their rights would affect these figures.
Combined with the worldwide slump in the value of television sports rights, takeovers, mergers and bankruptcies among Europe’s pay and pay-per-view broadcasters look certain to hit leagues and clubs in England, Italy, Spain, Germany and France.
The report scrutinises the commercial prospects of the five top European soccer leagues through editorial analysis and previously unpublished facts, figures and projections. The report sets the analysis in the context of the explosion in television sports rights values over the past few years, and of the other major sources of revenue for leagues and clubs, including sponsorship, merchandising, ticket sales and the exploitation of new media rights.
The report notes that in a country of 18.5 million cable homes, Germany’s Bundesliga is seriously limiting its potential television market by only broadcasting its matches via satellite
Meanwhile Spain’s Primera Liga could earn an extra €100 million a year for its television rights, if it ended the practice of making one match a week available to free-to-air television. In India, the matches can be seen on ESPN Star Sports.
The disparity between the television rights income of Italy’s larger and smaller clubs threatens the stability and competitiveness of Serie A. Meanwhile with no obvious rival for the English Premier League’s rights, British Sky Broadcasting can name its own price for renewing its existing deal unless the league makes a convincing threat to set up its own channel. The French Ligue 1 is the most economically stable of the five leagues.
The report also provides a omparison of the relative dependency of the leagues on television rights income compared with other revenue streams such as sponsorship and matchday income. It also includes detailed breakdowns of crucial statistics for each league and its broadcaster, including sponsorship, gate income, attendances and pay-television and pay-per-view subscription charges.
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.
