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  • Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge renews title sponsorship deal with Hero MotoCorp till 2030

    Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge renews title sponsorship deal with Hero MotoCorp till 2030

    MUMBAI: Veteran champion golfer Tiger Woods’ events production company TGR Live has found a hero. The world’s largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp has agreed to extend its title sponsorship of the Hero World Challenge, which is under the TGR Live umbrella. The PGA-sanctioned tournament will now remain at Albamy, Bahamas through the 2030 playing.  Additionally, the Indian two-wheeler firm has said yes to continuing with Woods as its global corporate partner.

    The tournament rounds will be held between 5 and 8 December and it will be televised on the Golf Channel during all its rounds and by NBC during the third and final rounds.

    The Hero World Challenge is the longest-running PGA Tour event managed by TGR Live. The event was started by Woods and his father Earl in January 2000 to raise funds for the TGR Foundation. Hero MotoCorp first title sponsored the tournament  in 2014 at Isleworth Golf & Country Club. In 2015, the tournament moved to Albany, Bahamas where it will be played for the ninth time in 2024.Under Hero’s title sponsorship, the tournament has grown from 18 players to 20.

    Right from its inception, Woods vision has always been to utilise the event to raise awareness, support and resources that make a positive impact in the lives of youth around the world. Proceeds from the 2024 Hero World Challenge benefit TGR Foundation, Tavistock Foundation and Bahamas Youth Foundation.

     

    Tiger Wood with Pawan Munjal

    “Hero MotoCorp has played a vital role in the tournament’s evolution, growth and success; and their commitment is felt by everyone who joins us at Albany,” said Woods “Through the years I have come to respect Pawan (Munjal, the executive chairman of Hero MotoCorp) as a visionary leader and more importantly a trusted friend. His progressive leadership has made a significant impact not only on the future of global mobility but also the game of golf.”

    On his part, Munjal said he was proud to extend the partnership with Woods as the money raised from it goes towards the foundation which helps bring in meaningful change in communities just like Hero Motocorp group pioneers transformative innovations in the automotive industry.

    “Over the past decade, I have witnessed firsthand his extraordinary impact – not only as one of the greatest athletes in history but also as a global ambassador of excellence and a beacon of inspiration for millions,” Munjal elaborated. “This enduring collaboration is more than a testament to shared values; it’s a commitment to redefining boundaries, driving innovation, and shaping a better world. Together, we remain resolute in our mission to create a meaningful and lasting legacy that transcends sports and inspires generations to come. Together with Tiger, we are committed to elevating the Hero World Challenge as a powerful platform for positive social impact and global inspiration.” 

    Scottie Scheffler won the Hero World Challenge in 2023 with his score being 20 under and his his margin of victory being three strokes. Runner-up was Sepp Straka.  

  • Bangladesh high court petition seeks ban on Indian TV channels

    Bangladesh high court petition seeks ban on Indian TV channels

    MUMBAI: In the sweltering heat of early August, Bangladesh found itself at the crossroads. The once-bustling streets of Dhaka were now battlegrounds, echoing with the cries of a populace yearning for change. The crescendo of protests reached its peak on 5 August 2024, when prime minister Sheikh Hasina, facing mounting unrest, sought refuge in India. Her departure marked a significant turning point, plunging the nation into further turmoil. The ensuing days were marred by intensified violence, with supporters of the Awami League becoming targets of widespread retribution. Amid smoldering buildings and shattered dreams, the mantle of leadership passed to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, tasked with steering a country bruised and battered by its own internal strife.The nation stood on the precipice, its democratic aspirations hanging in the balance, as it grappled with the aftermath of a toppled regime and the quest for a new beginning.

    Five months after this chaos, a writ petition has been filed in the Bangladesh High Court, calling for a ban on Indian television channels, citing their alleged negative impact on Bangladeshi society and culture. The petition, submitted by lawyer Ekhlas Uddin Bhuiyan, demanded action under the Cable Television Network Operation Act, 2006, seeking to halt broadcasts of channels such as Republic Bangla, Star Jalsha, Star Plus, and Zee Bangla. 

    The petition highlights concerns over provocative news coverage and unregulated content that allegedly opposes Bangladeshi culture, claiming these broadcasts are ‘destroying the youth’ and contributing to a cultural disconnect. A hearing is expected to take place in the HC with justices Fatema Najib and Sikder Mahmudur Razi presiding over the matter.

    The petition has named the information ministry, home ministry, and Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) as respondents. It alleges that these Indian channels fail to adhere to regulatory norms and calls for a rule to ban them altogether.

    This development comes amid rising concerns over minority safety in Bangladesh. Violent incidents, including attacks on Hindu communities, temple desecrations, and clashes in Chattogram, have sparked national and international outrage. In recent events, tensions escalated after the arrest of a former priest, Chinmoy Krishna Das and the hoisting of a saffron flag above the national flag in Chittagong, which further fueled unrest.

    India has consistently urged Bangladesh’s interim government to ensure the safety of minority groups and take appropriate steps to curb violence.

    The petition reflects growing societal concerns about the influence of foreign media on Bangladeshi culture and the nation’s youth, potentially setting the stage for significant regulatory decisions regarding cross-border broadcasting.

  • AIFF assigns national football tournament telecast rights to Shrachi Sports for 2024-25

    AIFF assigns national football tournament telecast rights to Shrachi Sports for 2024-25

    MUMBAI: Football fans are going to get more soccer than they could have ever imagined. Close on the heels of JioStar signing up with the Premier League as well as presenting the Indian Super league, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) signed a commercial rights agreement for its premier competitions (I-League, I-League 2, IWL, senior national football championship for the Santosh Trophy and senior women’s national football championship for the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy) with Shrachi Sports Endeavour Pvt Ltd for producing and broadcasting 338 matches in the 2024-25 season on 2 December 2024.
     

    All India Football Federation assigns rights

    The senior men and women club leagues and national championship matches will be streamed on the SSEN app (owned by Shrachi Sports Endeavor), and 110 of the 132 I-League matches will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network.

    “This significant partnership will help Indian football to get necessary exposure,” said AIFF secretary general Anilkumar.

    Shrachi Sports managing director Rahul Todi said that the agreement will provide “a platform for men and women players to showcase their talents to national and international audiences with high quality HD content. With this partnership, Shrachi shows its commitment towards being part of India’s growing sports ecosystem.”

    The SSN streaming platform is available to football fans at three  price points: Rs 20 for a single match as a pay per view option, Rs 100 for an entire tournament and Rs 600 as an annual subscription which gives access to all the matches for all the tournaments. 
     

  • Gaurav Kanwal moves on from chief revenue officer post at Zee5

    Gaurav Kanwal moves on from chief revenue officer post at Zee5

    Mumbai: Even the steadiest hands must sometimes release the helm.

    In a surprising turn, Gaurav Kanwal, the chief revenue officer of Zee5, has stepped down, leaving behind a legacy of leadership at one of India’s premier digital entertainment platforms under Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL). While the reasons remain undisclosed, his departure marks the end of a significant chapter in Zee5’s journey, stirring curiosity and reflection across the industry.

    Prior to joining Zee5 in August 2021, Kanwal served as executive vice president of ad sales at Disney+ Hotstar, where he was responsible for identifying new avenues to drive ad revenue.

    Kanwal’s departure from Zee5 comes as the platform continues to strengthen its position in the competitive digital streaming market. His contributions have been pivotal in enhancing Zee5’s digital footprint and revenue streams.

    As the curtains momentarily fall on the CRO position at Zee5, the spotlight now shifts to the anticipation of a successor who will shape the platform’s next chapter. The silence is palpable, but the stage is set for what promises to be a defining announcement. Stay with us as we bring you the unfolding story and the next visionary who will lead Zee5’s journey forward.

  • DD scoops Hockey India League live telecast rights for next three years

    DD scoops Hockey India League live telecast rights for next three years

    MUMBAI: There’s nothing more exciting that seeing a player with a hockey stick in his hand dribbling past the mid-field, swerving and dodging past the defending backs and reverse flicking the ball into the goal, leaving the goal keeper  stranded and flat on his back on the turf. 

    Many more such moments will be available to field hockey lovers  courtesy pubcaster Doordarshan, It has pocketed the rights to live  telecast the sixth edition of the Hockey India League (HIL), which will begin from 28 December 2024, thanks to an agreement it has signed with Hockey India (HI).( Reports are that the contract between the two is actually for the next three years.) What’s special with the new agreement is that DD will also be bringing the women’s HIL matches live to viewers apart from the fast-paced men’s. tournament.  

    Sports lovers may recall that the Indian national men’s team has been gradually getting back its mojo and won the bronze medal at this year’s Paris Olympics as well as in Tokyo. 

    HIL will have eight men’s teams and four women’s teams participating in Rourkela and Ranchi, showcasing outstanding talent from India and around the world.

    Said Prasar Bharati chairman Navneet Sehgal: “We are privileged to partner with the HIL, a platform that celebrates our national sports and aligns people across different categories. Through our comprehensive coverage, we aim to bring the electrifying spirit of hockey, including the historic debut of Women HIL, to viewers everywhere, bridging the urban and rural divide and amplifying the league’s impact.”

    Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi added: “Indian sports lovers are confident that the golden era of Indian hockey is being brought back. Doordarshan as the public broadcaster is looking forward to contributing to this broader vision through this partnership. The idea is to elevate hockey production and broadcast to global sporting standards. The sports lovers across the world can now watch the HIL, both men and women on DD Sports and Waves- the recently launched OTT platform of Prasar Bharati.”

    HIL  governing committee chairperson Dilip Tirkey said, “We are thrilled to partner with Doordarshan as the official broadcaster of the HIL. This year is particularly special with the launch of the Women’s HIL, a landmark step in promoting women’s hockey. Doordarshan’s unparalleled reach and commitment to sports perfectly align with our vision of taking hockey to every corner of the nation. Together, we aim to inspire millions and elevate the HIL to unprecedented heights.”

    HIL governing committee member Bhola Nath Singh commented, “Hockey is more than just a sport for us – it’s a symbol of our unity and pride. The addition of the Women’s HIL this season is a giant leap forward in ensuring equality and recognition for women athletes. With Doordarshan as our partner, we’re ready to present a spectacular season of HIL. ‘Hockey connects us, and this partnership strengthens that bond’.”

    As part of its partnership with HI,  Doordarshan says it will also broadcast all HI  national championships and tournaments in India.

    (Picture courtesy Hockey India League)

     

  • Jay Shah begins tenure as ICC chair

    Jay Shah begins tenure as ICC chair

    MUMBAI: Former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) honorary secretary Jay Shah began his tenure as chair of the International Cricket Conference on 1 December.  

    Said Shah in a press release issued by ICC: “I am honoured to be starting in the role of ICC chair and want to thank the ICC directors and member boards for their support and trust in me to undertake this important role.

    “This is an exciting time for the sport as we build up to the LA28 Olympic Games and strive to make cricket more inclusive and popular than ever before. We also stand at a critical juncture in terms of the coexistence of multiple formats and accelerating the growth of the women’s game. There is huge potential for the game of cricket globally, with so much opportunity to engage with existing and new fans, while ensuring the best resources and platforms for our cricketers around the world.

    “I would also like to thank Greg Barclay for his leadership in the role for the past four years and the milestones achieved during that period. I look forward to working closely with the ICC team and the member countries to sustainably expand the game’s reach and evolution on the global stage.”

    Shah like the cricketers – who his organization governs – who  notch up records match after match has  got quite a few records under his hat himself.

    One of the youngest members of the Gujarat Cricket Association. The youngest ever honorary secretary of the BCCI. ). And  in August 2024  the 36 year old Jay Shah added  another feather to his hat: the youngest ever chairperson of the International Cricket Conference.  Shah was unanimously elected as the ICC chair – as he was the sole nominee –  succeeding New Zealand’s Greg Barclay, who was in the role from November 2020. 

    Shah has built his reputation as a great administrator. While at the BCCI, he helped take Indian cricket to newer heights with key accomplishments such as record-breaking IPL media rights deal, creation of the Women’s Premier League, creation of new state-of-the-art centre of excellence, test cricket incentive scheme and more. He has also played important roles in world cricket as the president of the Asian Cricket Council and as chair of the ICC’s finance and commercial affairs committee.

     

    Picture: ICC website

  • JioStar bags Premier League broadcasting rights for next three year cycle

    JioStar bags Premier League broadcasting rights for next three year cycle

    MUMBAI: Premier League (EPL) fans in India can clink their beer mugs with glee. Especially if they are going to be watching the matches between their favourite clubs in a bar. JioStar has secured the media rights for the next three seasons beginning with the 2025-2026  one,  in a deal valued at $65 million, if a report in The Economic Times is to be believed. In all probability, the rights cover both live broadcasting on  television and  on streaming.

    The  audiovisual rights for the previous cycle (2022-2025) were with  Disney Star India’s Star Sports. However, with Disney Star India merging with Reliance Industries’ owned Viacom18 and Bodhi Tree Systems and being renamed as JioStar, it was the latter which put in the bid and acquired the rights.

    JioStar also has the rights to the  Indian Super League  – India’s premier soccer tournament – which came its way in the wake of the merger.

    “With this, the conglomerate will be driving the future of football in India,” says a sports media consultant.  “They are going to be putting a lot of marketing and promotional muscle behind the Premier League because if you look at the new deal with it, Uday Shankar and team Sanjog Gupta have apportioned $11 million for marketing EPL events in India during the cycle and $54 million for the audiovisual rights, according to the ET report.”

    However, how the live telecasts will be divided between Sports18 and Star Sports and Hotstar and JioCinema was not clear at the time of writing. Keep watching this space until some clarity comes in. 

    Manchester City had lifted the Premier League title in May 2024 with Arsenal emerging as the runner-up. 

    (Picture courtesy Premier League website)

  • Zeel gets Saurav Adhikari on board as additional director; shareholders reject Punit Goenka’s reappointment as director

    Zeel gets Saurav Adhikari on board as additional director; shareholders reject Punit Goenka’s reappointment as director

    MUMBAI: The board of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) today approved the appointment of former HCL and Pepsico India executive Saurav Adhikari as an additional director in the category of non-executive director. It informed the BSE about his addition to the company through a regulatory filing  in the evening of 28 November 2024. He had earlier been appointed on 15 November in the same capacity, but his term was valid only till 28 November, the date of the AGM.  

    Adhikari is currently the founder & senior partner at Indus Tech Edge Fund I, a growth fund focused on globalising India’s vibrant technology ecosystem. He is the former chairman of NASDAQ listed Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp (a special purpose acquisition company (Spac)) and has after a successful DeSpac/merger moved on to the board of NASDAQ listed Roadzen.  He  also serves as a board member of Goodricke Group Ltd, Accelya Solutions India Ltd, (both listed in India), and Bridgeweave Ltd UK, an AI based fintech firm. He works as a technology advisor and investor with interests across AI based fintech and healthcare firms, as well as analytics, IoT and logistics firms. He serves as a senior advisor in the Shiv Nadar Foundation and is a board member of the Shiv Nadar University.  

    Adhikari has impeccable credentials. Especially while with the HCL group. He worked on several multi-billion-dollar inorganic investments in technology and software, carve-outs of multiple enterprise software product suites, joint ventures with global majors, all to transform and reinvent HCL’s business. He was instrumental in strategising HCL’s  pivoting of its business model to a leading intellectual property-led solutions company. In his technology role, he had built deep inroads into global private equity and VC firms, while creating large, successful, value-based partnerships between HCL and private equity owned technology businesses, which are considered groundbreaking in the industry.

    At HCL, he held various executive positions, the last being president, global strategy, working directly with the founder & chairman with oversight across the group’s business, as well as the not-for-profit Shiv Nadar Foundation. During this time, he contributed to HCL’s immense growth from a sub $200mn revenue company in 2000 to a $14bn revenue and over $50bn market cap today, transforming it into one of the world’s leading, and India’s third largest IT/technology firms and India’s no. 1 software product company.  

    His prior experience also includes several senior global leadership and executive roles across Unilever, as vice President at PepsiCo and Group SEB  (Tefal India) and as CEO of the India business. 

    Meanwhile, Punit Goenka’s reappointment as a director on  the Zeel board failed to get the requisite majority of votes (50.4 percent against: 49.5 percent for) from shareholders during the company’s AGM held yesterday, the company said in an exchange filing.  He,  had earlier stepped down as managing director and continued as CEO of the company recently. Media reports have viewed this failure to get reappointed as a director a set back for Goenka.  (Updated on 29 November 2024, 8 am)
     

  • Nivedita Basu joins Dangal as vice president – fiction

    Nivedita Basu joins Dangal as vice president – fiction

    Mumbai: In a strategic move aimed at bolstering its creative portfolio, Dangal, a leading general entertainment channel (GEC) under the Enterr10 Television Network, has appointed Nivedita Basu as vice president – fiction (Hindi, Oriya, Bangla). With an illustrious career spanning over two decades, Basu’s return to the GEC space is set to usher in a new era of innovation and content excellence for Dangal.

    Known for her stellar contributions at Balaji Telefilms, where she helmed iconic shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Basu brings an impressive repertoire of over 100 television shows. Her expertise in audience engagement, content creation, and production management positions her as a driving force in Dangal’s ambitious expansion plans across regional and national markets.

    Expressing her enthusiasm, Basu stated, “Joining Dangal is an exciting new chapter in my career. With its strong reputation and commitment to creating impactful content, I look forward to contributing to its continued success. Meeting Manish Singhal, whose visionary leadership has made Dangal the number one Hindi GEC channel, has further fueled my excitement. I am thrilled to collaborate with him and the talented team at Dangal, and I am eager to explore opportunities to expand the channel’s portfolio with innovative and engaging projects.”

    In her previous role as senior vice president (Content) at Atrangii, Ullu, and Hari Om App, Basu transformed brands into household names, turning them into profit-making entities. She also spearheaded the launch of India’s first devotional channel, Hari Om, marking a significant milestone in her career.

    Dangal’s reputation for delivering diverse, engaging programming is expected to benefit greatly from Basu’s industry acumen and creative vision. Her leadership will focus on overseeing ongoing projects, exploring growth opportunities, and shaping the strategic direction of the channel’s fiction content.

  • Zee to broadcast DP World ILT20 season 3 live across 15 channels & Zee5

    Zee to broadcast DP World ILT20 season 3 live across 15 channels & Zee5

    Mumbai: Cricket enthusiasts, get ready for a month-long carnival of action as DP World International League T20 (ILT20) season 3 kicks off on 11 January 2025. The tournament will feature 34 electrifying matches across iconic UAE venues, concluding with the grand final on 9 February 2025. Fans can catch all the live action exclusively on Zee Entertainment’s 15 linear TV channels, the OTT platform Zee5, and syndicate partner networks globally.

    The season opens with a thrilling rematch between defending champions MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals at the Dubai International Stadium, starting at 7:30 PM IST. Matches will be hosted at Dubai, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium, and Sharjah Cricket Stadium, ensuring fans enjoy high-octane cricket in prime time.

    This year, Zee Entertainment aims to build on ILT20’s phenomenal growth, with 348 million viewers globally during the last season. For Season 3, Zee plans to surpass 230 million viewers, introducing broadcasts on South Indian channels and offering content in Hindi and English commentary. The tournament will be aired on channels like &Pictures, Zee Cinema HD, &Flix, Zee Zest, and more, alongside Zee5’s OTT platform.

    Zee Entertainment, chief growth officer – digital & broadcast revenue, Ashish Sehgal expressed his excitement: “We are thrilled to present Season 3 of DP World ILT20. With the finest global players, iconic venues, and engaging broadcasts, we aim to make this season the most-widely followed cricket event. Our commitment remains unwavering as we bring unparalleled cricketing action to fans worldwide.”

    DP World ILT20 CEO, David White echoed this sentiment: “Season 3 promises bigger thrills with world-class players and teams delivering electrifying entertainment. Our partnership with Zee ensures that fans worldwide experience the best cricketing action live, while also enjoying family-friendly events during matches.”

    The league will feature cricketing icons like Andre Russell, David Warner, Sunil Narine, Shimron Hetmyer, and Matthew Wade, alongside exciting debuts by Jason Roy, Fakhar Zaman, and Shai Hope. Teams will continue to showcase UAE’s homegrown talent, with additional players to be announced next week.

    From prime-time matches to double-headers on weekends, ILT20 Season 3 promises a dynamic schedule for fans. Special initiatives include ticket offers, family carnivals, and immersive experiences at stadiums.

    Mark your calendars and join the cricketing spectacle. DP World ILT20 season 3 begins on 11 January 2025, delivering top-tier cricket excitement to fans in India and beyond.