BWI: ESPN STAR Sports Launches HD Channels on Cable Networks

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: ESPN STAR Sports
Tuesday, December 27, 2011 03:22 PM IST (09:52 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Sports; Business: Business services, Media & entertainment, Sports
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ESPN STAR Sports Launches HD Channels on Cable Networks
Signs contract with leading MSOs including Incable, Seven Star & UCN

New Delhi, Delhi, India, Tuesday, December 27, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- ESPN STAR Sports, Asia's leading sports broadcaster, today announced the launch of services of its HD channels ESPN HD & STAR Cricket HD on the cable networks. The broadcaster announced that it has signed distribution contracts of HD channels with 3 leading national level MSOs including IndusInd Media Communications Ltd (Incable), Seven Star network in Mumbai and UCN in Central India. Services of ESPN HD and STAR cricket HD were hitherto available on almost all leading DTH players but this it will be the first time that the HD sports channels would be made available to the cable viewers in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, TS Panesar, Vice President - Affiliate Sales, ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd, said, "We are delighted that cable viewers would now have the opportunity to watch the highly anticipated India Australia cricket series in high definition. We are extremely confident about the future prospects of our HD offerings and this is just a start. With the digitization of the entire distribution industry in cable fraternity on the anvil, this deal with the leading MSOs is a harbinger of what is in store in the future."

"We have a very content heavy year in front us. The Australian tour will keep us busy till March 2012. It is a long tour with more than 37 days of live international content. The tour will be followed by the broadcast of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games. As the official broadcaster of the London 2012 Games, we will showcase the complete Olympics experience for the first time to sports fans across the region, with coverage on ESPN STAR Sports' multiple platforms. The live telecast of ICC T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka follows on our networks in September to be followed by the telecast of Nokia Champions League Twenty20 in October, " added Panesar.

Nagesh Chhabria, CEO, Incable, said, "We are delighted to sign the distribution contract for HD channels from ESPN STAR Sports bouquet. Even though the number of subscribers of HD channels are currently low, we are confident that the base would grow at a very healthy pace. This is the future and as always, we wanted to be at the forefront."

Nadir Ali, Director, Seven Star, added, "It is interesting to note how the industry is shaping up. We are ready with the backend infrastructure to support and infact lead these new changes that are happening in the cable distribution sector. HD channels have huge potential and we are delighted to add ESPN HD and STAR Cricket HD in our product offering."

Jagdish Paliya, Director, UCN Nagpur, said, "We have always believed in giving maximum options to our consumers and the addition of ESPN HD and STAR Cricket HD is a step in that direction. India Australia tour should give a fillip to the HD subscriber base in the country."


CONTACT DETAILS
Sameer Bajaj, Associate Director - Corporate Communications, ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd, +91 (124) 4147777/ +91 9811222700, sameerb@espnstar.co.in
Sukriti Kalra, IPAN Hill & Knowlton, +91 9910393262, skalra@ipanhillandknowlton.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, SPORTS, BUSINESS SERVICES, MEDIA

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