BWI: Hockey India Signs Multi-Year Broadcast Deal with ESPN STAR Sports for the Soon to be Launched Hockey India League (HIL)

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: ESPN STAR Sports
Monday, July 30, 2012 02:04 PM IST (08:34 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Entertainment, People, Sports; Business: Business services, Media & entertainment, Sports
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Hockey India Signs Multi-Year Broadcast Deal with ESPN STAR Sports for the Soon to be Launched Hockey India League (HIL)
The FIH sanctioned league will see the best of national and international hockey stars in action through 6 franchises across 33 matches every year

New Delhi, Delhi, India, Monday, July 30, 2012 -- (Business Wire India) -- ESPN STAR Sports to exclusively broadcast all international hockey test matches under HI to be played in India for the next 5 years

--ESPN STAR Sports to exclusively broadcast all matches of the HI Professional Hockey League
--FIH approved league will feature biggest hockey stars from India and abroad
--League will comprise at least six franchise hockey teams; annual league will feature 33 matches
--Broadcast deal also covers telecast of at least 5 international hockey test matches under HI every year for 5 years

Hockey India entered into a multi-year broadcast agreement with leading sports broadcaster ESPN STAR Sports to exclusively broadcast the soon to be launched Hockey India League (HIL). ESPN STAR Sports will also cover all international hockey test matches under Hockey India to be played in India for the next 5 years.

In a multi-year deal, ESPN STAR Sports has been granted global telecast rights for the professional hockey league. The FIH approved league will see the best of national as well as international hockey stars showcase their prowess. The first edition of the league is expected to be played in the month of January 2013. The league will comprise of at least six franchise hockey teams and will feature 33 hockey matches to be played in prime time in state-of-the-art stadia across the country. All teams will play each other on a home and away basis (30 league matches) followed by 2 semifinals and the final.

Hockey India further announced that ESPN STAR Sports has the global broadcast rights to telecast at least 5 international hockey test matches every year under Hockey India to be played in India for the next 5 years. The number of matches that India will play against top quality international opposition could go up depending on the finalization of the series schedule.

Hockey India Secretary General and Chairman, Hockey India League, Dr. Narinder Batra, said, "We are delighted to have ESPN STAR Sports as our broadcast partners. Hockey India has a clear vision - we want to revive the glory days of hockey in India and drive popularity of the game across the country. This partnership with ESPN STAR Sports will play a key role in our overall plans."

Speaking on the professional hockey league, Batra, added, "The proposed league (HIL) will be the biggest initiative that hockey has ever seen in India. We have been working out the details for months now and I am glad to announce that things are quickly falling into place. I am confident that our partners ESPN STAR Sports will help us deliver a flawless world class product."

Peter Hutton, Managing Director, ESPN STAR Sports, said, "Hockey is close to our heart and we will drive all our efforts to make this league a success."

"We are also delighted to have all international hockey test matches under Hockey India to be played in India on our networks for a 5 year period. I look forward to some memorable occasions and a new era for Indian hockey," added Peter.

About ESPN STAR Sports

ESPN STAR Sports is a 50:50 joint venture between two of the world's leading cable and satellite broadcasters. As Asia's biggest sports content provider, ESPN STAR Sports combines the strengths and resources of its parent companies - Walt Disney (ESPN, Inc.) and News Corporation Limited (STAR) - to deliver a diverse array of international and regional sports to fans across multiple platforms.

ESPN STAR Sports features a comprehensive portfolio of multimedia assets including its television networks (ESPN, STAR Sports, STAR Cricket, ESPNEWS, ESPN HD, STAR Cricket HD), broadband network (ESPN Player), digital content services (espnstar.com, mobileESPN), and its on-ground Event Management Group with the aim to engage and entertain sports fans anytime, anyplace.

ESPN STAR Sports showcases an unparalleled variety of premier sports from around the globe featuring some of the most iconic sports events to viewers across 24 countries in Asia through its 25 television networks and 3 broadband networks, each localized to deliver differentiated programming to meet diverse needs of Asian sports fans.

To view the photograph, please click on the link given below:
Peter Hutton, Managing Director, ESPN STAR Sports (on the right) and Elena Norman, CEO, Hockey India formalising the broadcast contract of Hockey India League and international matches to be played in India under the aegis of Hockey India.
For picture(s)/data to illustrate this release click below:

http://www.BusinessWireIndia.com/attachments/HIL-ESS1.jpg
HIL-ESS1.jpg


CONTACT DETAILS
Sameer Bajaj, ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd, +91 9811222700, sameerb@espnstar.co.in
Supriya Gupta, ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd, +91 9899552515, supriyaG@espnstar.co.in
Sukriti Kalra, IPAN H&K, +91 9910393262, skalra@ipanhillandknowlton.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ENTERTAINMENT, PEOPLE, SPORTS, BUSINESS SERVICES, MEDIA

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