News Headline
WWE clears first terrestrial deal in Italy
CANNES: World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE) has secured its first terrestrial deal in Italy with the sale of 52 hours of WWE’s highly rated SmackDown! to Berlusconi’s Italia Uno.
The company has also made several new deals for free-to-air broadcast and Pay-TV in Latin America and Asia, it was announced today by International Television for WWE (International) Ltd Senior Vice President and Managing Director Andrew Whitaker. The new sales of first run episodes total over 1000 hours.
“We are delighted to have finalised our new terrestrial deal in Italy as it greatly complements our existing output deals on the Pay-TV platforms. Additionally, our new deals in Latin America and Asia reflect the impact that our programming offers worldwide, even in the current marketplace when acquisition budgets are at minimal levels,” said Whitaker. “We respect and appreciate our buyers confidence in WWE’s programming and are certain that our branded product will deliver the anticipated advertising, subscription and viewership results,” he added.
In addition to the sale to Italia Uno, WWE comes to Mipcom with a significant deal signed with Chilevision, the broadcast television station in Chile, for over 100 hours of WWE’s flagship titles Raw and SmackDown!. Chilevision is part of Claxson Interactive, one of Latin America’s most successful multiplatform programming companies that operates under the Cisneros Group umbrella of companies.
WWE’s other deals in Latin America include:
* A deal with Ecuavisa, the leading free-to-air broadcaster in Ecuador, for a total of 134 hours of programming, including Raw, SmackDown! and the 12 yearly WWE Specials.
* WWE has completed a renewal deal for Pay TV with MVS in Mexico for 88 hours of programming, including Raw and the 12 yearly WWE Specials. MVS is the leading Pay TV platform in Mexico with a subscriber base of over two million.
* Bolivision, the second most popular station in Bolivia, has renewed a deal with WWE for 52 hours of Raw for free-to-air broadcast.
Looking to the territory of Asia, the company has signed deals for over 600 hours of programming, which include:
* Adding Japan to the Global rollout of WWE pay-per-view, Sky Perfect TV has signed a new three-year deal to air the 12 yearly WWE Specials on pay-per-view for a total of 36 hours. Sky Perfect is the largest Pay-TV platform in Japan whose predominant equity stakeholder is Jupiter Communications.
* TV3, which is currently the number one leading terrestrial broadcaster in Malaysia, has renewed SmackDown! and Bottom Line for free-to-air broadcast for a total of 208 hours. SmackDown! is the highest rated English speaking program in Malaysia.
* WWE has signed a three-year renewal deal with ASTRO in Malaysia, the largest multichannel TV platform in Asia, for 420 hours of programming, including its leading title Raw and the 12 yearly WWE Specials.
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.
