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War pummels Oscar ratings to lowest ever in US
MUMBAI: If there was no Lagaan to draw in those extra viewers in India, in the US, the 75th anniversary edition of the Academy Awards entered the record books on Monday as the least watched Oscar telecast ever. Gratis the US-led invasion of Iraq.
In India, Star Movies had undertaken some aggressive promotions to ensure that the Oscars generate interest amongst the audiences despite the fact that the country’s entry this year, Devdas, unlike Lagaan last year, failed to get a nomination. This month has seen a Oscar-winning movie showcased every night in the lead-up to the big event.
In the US, though it was a damp squib. According to figures from Nielsen Media Research, ABC’s three-and-a-half hour live broadcast of the ceremony, garnered a household rating of 20.4, the lowest level going back to the very first televised Oscar show in 1953, states a Reuters report.
The Nielsen score for the Oscars was down nearly 20 per cent from last year’s previous all-time low, a 25.4 rating. Each rating point equals 1 per cent of the estimated 106.7 million US homes with television sets.
Also, the Oscar telecast hosted by comedian Steve Martin drew an average audience of 33.05 million, the smallest for the Oscars since 1974, the first year for which average audience figures are available.
However highlighting the brighter side, ABC estimates that 62 million US viewers tuned in for some portion of the show, which still ranks as the highest-rated entertainment special of the year. NBC’s Primetime Emmy Awards broadcast in September averaged 20 million viewers, and CBS’ Grammy telecast drew 24.8 million, both lower than the Oscars, adds the report.
Another reason attributed to the lacklustre TRPs for the Oscars is the curtailment of pre-show festivities, including the traditional red-carpet arrival of the stars. Elimination of the celebrity walk-up may have been particularly damaging to female viewership of the Oscars as the fashion spectacle is widely regarded as the Super Bowl of women’s programming.
Also read:
No ‘Lagaan’, but Oscar buzz builds for Star Movies
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.
