ITV

Category: Sports

  • Juventus ditches straight stripes in a fashion-forward kit by adidas

    Juventus ditches straight stripes in a fashion-forward kit by adidas

    MUMBAI: Juventus is blurring the lines between sport and style this season—literally. The Italian giants have unveiled their new 2025/26 home kit in collaboration with adidas, and it’s anything but traditional.

    The famed black-and-white stripes have undergone a fashion makeover. Instead of clean, uniform lines, the new design features offset and varying stripe widths—an edgy nod to Italian high fashion and a bold throwback to the club’s original colours from 1897, splashed across the adidas logo, club crest, and the signature three stripes.

    The jersey isn’t just eye candy—it’s engineered for performance. The player edition features adidas’ cutting-edge Heat.rdy tech to keep stars cool under pressure, while fans get their hands on the sweat-wicking Aerorady version for everyday wear. Completing the retro-modern look is the Teamgeist collar, last seen on international kits during the 2006 World Cup.

    adidas senior design director, Juergen Rank said, “We’re proud to introduce something a little different this season while still staying true to the club’s iconic DNA. When you think of Italy, two things come to mind – football and fashion. We wanted to take a typically characteristic Italian design theme and reimagine it in a modern and innovative way to merge the best of fashion with the best of football performance. We also wanted to give fans of the club a hit of nostalgia, which we’ve achieved through the pink detailing seen on the club crest and adidas logo.”

    Equal parts nostalgia and next-gen flair, Juventus’ new home kit ensures the Old Lady remains one of the sharpest-dressed sides in Europe.
     

  • “We have invested more than $500 million dollars in sport over the past 15 years, and this is apart from rights acquisition costs” – Sanjog Gupta

    “We have invested more than $500 million dollars in sport over the past 15 years, and this is apart from rights acquisition costs” – Sanjog Gupta

    Sanjog Gupta, the man steering live experiences and the sports juggernaut at JioStar, finds himself squarely in the spotlight. Fresh off helming the eighteenth edition of the IPL — a relentless, high-octane ride that shattered records in viewership, fan engagement, and tech wizardry — Gupta is already plotting the next innings.
    In a crackling fireside chat with MPA’s Vivek Couto at APOS in Bali this morning, the sharp-suited sports boss laid out JioStar’s grand vision: why giving away the IPL for free wasn’t madness but method, how technology is rewriting the fan playbook, and why the network isn’t just broadcasting sport — it’s reinventing it.

    Here’s the man behind the masterstroke, unfiltered and in full flow.

    On IPL 2025’s impact on Indian sports
    India’s growing influence in sport is nothing but a reflection of India’s growing significance on the global stage, driven by a strong consumption-oriented economy. This IPL, not only have we reached a billion viewers across platforms, we have also managed to make this IPL the most monetised edition of the event and also the most monetised sporting event ever in India across advertising and subscription revenue.

     On what Star and JioStar have invested in sport
    Over the last decade and a half, Star and now JioStar has actually been the biggest private investor in Indian sport and in Indian media and entertainment. Largely with the mission to build what we believe can be a media and entertainment economy, but more than that, a media consumption economy, which is much larger in scale to anything that could have been imagined. While numbers around acquisition prices for sports rights tend to be thrown around a lot, what at times gets missed is the sheer investment that a network such as ours has made to grow those properties by way of marketing, by way of production, by way of investment in technology and that over the last decade and a half exceeds 500 million dollars. That is outside of what we paid for the acquisition of rights.
     
    On sport fuelling the wider JioStar network
    We believe sports serves as a recruitment funnel to bring in viewers and fans at scale, who then can be taken on a journey on a platform which could entail a live event, a Hindi entertainment show, or it could entail one of our new originals which is marketed on the back of a big sporting event and a recent example of that is the returning season of Criminal Justice which benefited significantly by launching in the last week of IPL.”

    On the freemium IPL strategy and changing viewer habits
    Our mission wasn’t to incrementally change the landscape, it was to completely shift the way consumers perceive paying for content and also over a period of time, attribute value to the entertainment needs they have. The subscribers are on the platform and not just on IPL and it started with an interesting hybrid subscription strategy, which allowed everyone to come onto the platform free. So it’s not pay at the gate, we’re not trying to keep people out and having them pay before they can consume. The model is based on real life example of how you shop, which is you go into a mall or a store, you sample enough and more of what you may want to look at and then choose to pay for deeper engagement, which in that case is purchase of an item.

    On whether cricket will remain the network’s sole focus
    We don’t want to be a single content or be known for a single content genre and that applies to sport as well. We have looked to grow English Premier League significantly over the last five years. In fact, over the last five years the viewership for English Premier League across our platforms has grown almost three and a half X (3.5x). Largely on the back of localisation efforts where we’ve taken Premier League deeper into the Indian sports ecosystem than ever before by producing it in languages meant for regions which have affinity for football. At the other end of the spectrum, you have a sport like kabaddi which is a sport that goes back thousands of years and is a part of India’s history but also it’s a part of India’s recreation where kids grow up playing it as a game. We’ve professionalized it and continue to invest in it to build it as India’s second most favorite sport. It already is the second biggest league in the country but but our objective with it is for the sport itself to grow and become a year-long proposition instead of being a two to three-month league.

    On building hyper-personalised sports journeys
    Our premise around sport is don’t look to serve many fans as one but look to serve almost each fan as many and what that means is every fan at different points of time and on different devices and in different modes of consumption will consume your content differently. So can you create infinite hyper-personalized journeys for each and every fan instead of serving one streaming experience to all and that’s the core tenet of the platform.”

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  • APOS 2025: MPA and JioStar release report on how IPL scored new records

    APOS 2025: MPA and JioStar release report on how IPL scored new records

    BALI: At the APOS summit in Bali, JioStar dropped its much-anticipated report titled TATA IPL 2025: A Year of Firsts—and it reads like a victory lap for both the broadcaster and the billion-plus fans who tuned in. Produced in partnership with Media Partners Asia (MPA), the report reveals how IPL 2025 turned into a fan-first, tech-powered juggernaut that smashed records, redefined storytelling, and blurred the lines between sport, spectacle, and screen.

    JioStar’s digital reach alone crossed 652 million, while Star Sports pulled in 537 million viewers, pushing total reach to a record-shattering 1.19 billion. Women accounted for 47 per cent of TV audiences—marking a seismic shift in cricket’s traditional demographic. The IPL final alone drew 426 million fans, with JioHotstar peaking at 55.2 million concurrent users and soaring to 300 million subscribers.

    “TATA IPL 2025 was a season where the lines between sport, storytelling, and shared experiences truly blurred. It wasn’t just about broadcasting matches – it was where creativity, culture and commerce converged, with fan connections at the heart of it all,” said JioStar chief executive of sports and live experiences Sanjog Gupta. “ At JioStar, we set out to make every screen feel personal, every interaction meaningful, and every moment unforgettable. From deep consumer journeys to a rich spectrum of viewing experiences, this was a celebration of fandom in all its forms. The real success of the IPL isn’t measured in numbers, but in the moments that moved millions.”

    JioStar delivered 840 billion minutes of cricket watch-time, riding on innovations like MaxView 3.0 (a TikTok-style vertical experience), 360° VR streaming, and voice-assisted search on connected TVs. Over 44 per cent of mobile viewers played along live with the ‘Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan’ game, while AI-powered highlights and live expert commentary translations made the sport more accessible than ever.

    Regional viewership surged with Telugu up 87 per cent, Tamil up 52 per cent, and Kannada up 65 per cent—showing that cricket’s heart beats strong beyond the metros. Accessibility also hit new highs with Indian Sign Language interpretation and audio descriptive commentary for the visually impaired.

    Advertisers swarmed the platform, with over 425 brands onboard—including 270 first-timers across 40 categories. Nielsen-measured ROI, play-along games, and AI-personalised ads helped deliver what marketers crave: measurable impact at scale.

    JioStar’s IPL 2025 wasn’t just a tournament—it was a case study in what the future of sports broadcasting could look like: immersive, inclusive, interactive, and insanely watchable.

  • Rugby gets a ruck-solid start with GMR RPL’s star-studded sponsor pack

    Rugby gets a ruck-solid start with GMR RPL’s star-studded sponsor pack

    MUMBAI: Move over cricket, there’s a new league in town and it’s tackling eyeballs and brands with equal force. The inaugural season of the GMR Rugby Premier League (GMR RPL) kicked off in Mumbai at the Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex, with six franchise teams colliding in high-octane matches. But the real scrum might just be off the field, where a ruck of top-tier sponsors have piled in to back the tournament.

    With GMR leading from the front as title sponsor and HSBC powering the league as a principal partner, the GMR RPL has already racked up a formidable roster of 17 sponsors and partners. Big names like Capgemini, Bisleri, Hero Fincorp, JSW Cement, Amul, Dream11, and Nanavati Max are among the brands jumping into the fray.

    In fact, Capgemini is suiting up as the Transformation Partner, Bisleri is keeping the players hydrated, and Dream11 is fuelling fantasy picks as the Fantasy Sports Partner. Other players in the pack include Encalm, Megawide, Waisl, Pushpak, Wintex, and The Capital Group, not to mention Radio Mirchi bringing the buzz as the Radio Partner.

    Broadcast muscle is also strong, Star Sports Select 1 is the Official Broadcaster, Jiocinema (under JioHotstar) is streaming it live, and Rugby Pass TV is beaming the action to global fans.

    “This isn’t just a game-changer, it’s a groundbreaker,” said GMR Sports CEO Satyam Trivedi. “To onboard over 17 big-ticket brands for a brand-new sport in India is a strong signal that the market is ready to embrace new sporting formats.”

    Rugby India president Rahul Bose and longtime champion of the sport, was equally moved. “The GMR RPL is our dream come alive. To witness such overwhelming support from grassroots to boardrooms is exhilarating. We truly believe this is the beginning of a bold new chapter for Indian rugby.”

    With big tackles on the pitch and even bigger backing off it, the GMR Rugby Premier League looks all set to convert casual onlookers into die-hard fans one try at a time.

  • Let’s Move +1 puts a fresh spin on Olympic Day with a call to move together

    Let’s Move +1 puts a fresh spin on Olympic Day with a call to move together

    MUMBAI: Pair up, power up Olympic Day is going two-for-one this year. This 23 June, the International Olympic Committee’s global movement campaign Let’s Move returns with a twist, Let’s Move +1, a call for Indians to embrace the power of paired play. In partnership with the Abhinav Bindra Foundation and the Reliance Foundation, the campaign encourages citizens to take a step, then bring a sibling, friend or colleague along for the next one.

    The idea? Moving together means staying motivated and the impact could be national. Over 50 sports venues across India will offer free paired sessions in cricket, padel, badminton, pickleball and more. No strings, just your +1.

    Backed by data from the World Health Organization that shows 50 per cent of Indian adults and a staggering 81 per cent of youth globally fail to meet activity recommendations, Let’s Move +1 taps into sport’s lesser-known benefit social wellbeing. Whether it’s a post-work pickleball match or skipping at school, shared movement builds community and fights loneliness, a growing global concern.

    Schools, too, are stepping in. Through the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) run in Chandigarh, Odisha and Assam more than 12 million children will take part in yoga, kho-kho, dance, arts, and Olympic-themed activities. The programme has already reached 10 million students, driving inclusivity and activity hand in hand.

    Olympic gold medallist and IOC Athletes’ Commission member Abhinav Bindra captured the spirit, “Let’s Move +1 reminds us that sport is not just about strength, it’s about support, connection, and joy.”

    The Reliance Foundation will host a special Olympic Day celebration for 1,450 schoolchildren, joined by archery Olympians Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das. “Sport has shown me the value of having someone in your corner,” said Kumari, a four-time Olympian. “Now, I want to be that person for someone else.”

    Launched in 2023, Let’s Move has already engaged 20 million people in India. With this year’s edition, the campaign doubles down on inclusivity and doubles the fun. Because sometimes, all it takes to get moving is someone to move with.

  • JioStar hits it out of the park as Tata IPL 2025 smashes a billion-viewer milestone

    JioStar hits it out of the park as Tata IPL 2025 smashes a billion-viewer milestone

    MUMBAI: The 18th season of the Tata IPL was pure box-office cricket, and JioStar—the broadcast juggernaut of Star Sports and JioHotstar—made sure the world was watching. The tournament clocked a jaw-dropping 840 billion minutes of total watch-time and reached an eye-popping one billion viewers, making it the most-watched season in T20 history.

    Digital viewing surged 29 per cent year-on-year, with JioHotstar racking up 23.1 billion views and 384.6 billion minutes of watch-time, riding on a massive 49 per cent jump in Connected TV consumption. Meanwhile, Star Sports delivered 456 billion minutes of live broadcast content, pulling in the highest-ever average TV ratings across demos.

    The Tata IPL 2025 Final was nothing short of a cricketing supernova:

     . 31.7 billion minutes of combined watch-time

     . 169 million TV viewers

     .  892 million video views on digital

     .  55 million peak concurrency on JioHotstar

     .  A record-smashing 16.74 billion minutes on digital alone

    It was also the stuff of legends on the pitch. Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally lifted the trophy, Virat Kohli tasted long-overdue IPL glory, and 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi stunned the world as the youngest centurion in IPL history.

    JioStar CEO – Sports and Live Experiences, Sanjog Gupta said, “The incredible viewership numbers are reinforcement of our belief in the commitment to serve fans and the potential for growth of even a scaled property like the Tata IPL.”

    “We had a two-pronged approach this season.We wanted to widen the consideration for the tournament experience, by focusing on key viewer cohorts which had a light-touch relationship with IPL while also offering a deep, navigable consumer journey to grow engagement with committed fans. From non-viewers and fringe viewers co-viewing the IPL to deeply immersed fanatics, JioStar offered customized offerings for a wide spectrum of distinct cohorts defined by age, consumption profile and region. From the invite and proposition to the broadcast, we were committed to delivering hyper-personalized experiences that are inclusive, intuitive, interactive, and immersive. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the fans, whosepassion and love for the game inspires us. We would also thank BCCI and our partners, whose support is critical in our endeavor to constantly raise the bar on industry-defining experiences we offer on our platforms,” he added.

    Tech-wise, JioStar upped the ante with MaxView 2.0, voice search, 12-language content, Dolby Atmos, VR 360 Live, and Sign Language feeds—making cricket not just watchable, but immersive. The tournament’s “Yahaan Sab Possible Hai” theme rang true despite a mid-season suspension, with fans tuning in in record numbers from the get-go—49.56 billion minutes in just the opening weekend.

    With Shubman Gill and ‘Generation Bold’ now gearing up to face Ben Stokes and Bazball in England starting 20 June, JioStar’s cricketing blitz shows no signs of slowing down.

  • UST flags off Trivandrum Marathon 2025 with training runs and big race on 12 October

    UST flags off Trivandrum Marathon 2025 with training runs and big race on 12 October

    MUMBAI: When the going gets tough, the tough start training early. Kerala’s capital is lacing up again as the UST Trivandrum Marathon returns for its second edition on Sunday, 12 October 2025. Promising high-octane footwork and community spirit, the marathon is expected to see more than 10,000 participants across categories.

    Organised by UST, the global digital transformation firm, in partnership with NEB Sports, the 2025 edition will once again start from the UST Campus in Thiruvananthapuram. Just like last year, the event will feature a Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K Run and a 5K Fun Run—ensuring there’s a lane for every level of enthusiasm.

    To get the runners race-ready, three official training runs will begin with the first warm-up sprint on Sunday, 22 June. UST Campus will host the kick-off training session, and participants will receive T-shirts, route support and breakfast to keep energy levels and morale high.

    “I’m really delighted that UST is hosting Thiruvananthapuram’s largest marathon for the second year in a row. Aligned to our organisation’s mission of Transforming Lives, this marathon is designed to uphold our community’s wellness and health. This year, we aspire to make it larger than the previous edition, with advanced training runs, support initiatives and expert advice. With more than 10,000 runners participating, we are committed to making the UST Trivandrum Marathon 2025 a memorable event”, said UST COO Alexander Varghese.

    NEB Sports CMD Nagaraj Adiga added, “As in the first edition of the UST Trivandrum Marathon, we are excited to be joining hands with UST for the mega event this year. With the date now set for the training runs and the main event, we are excited to host the maximum number of runners from across the country”.

    Those wishing to participate can register at bit.ly/3ZnARUv and pick their distance. With just weeks to go until the first training run, the countdown to Kerala’s biggest marathon has officially begun.

  • Game of pawns just got powered up as chess makes its esports move

    Game of pawns just got powered up as chess makes its esports move

     MUMBAI: The queens are charged, the knights are digital, and India’s chessboard is now esports-ready. In a game-changing move for Indian chess, Nodwin Gaming has announced a strategic partnership with Chess.com and Chessbase India, marking a historic convergence of esports, content, and competitive chess. Together, the trio will co-create original IPs, power pro-level broadcasts, and elevate India’s growing chess ecosystem into a global force.

    From school tournaments to creator streams, chess has undergone a stunning revival. Once the preserve of silent halls and grandmasters, it’s now the fourth most-watched sport in India trailing only cricket, kabaddi, and BGMI. This new-age boom has been fuelled by the digital-first youth, and the stats are as sharp as a Sicilian Defence, 7.6 billion games played globally on Chess.com in 2024, 200 million plus registered users, including over 9 million monthly active players from India, 550,000 plus new Indian sign-ups every month, 925 million organic views, with viewership up 640 per cent year-on-year

    The tipping point? The Gukesh vs Ding Liren World Championship final, streamed in India exclusively by this trio, which racked up 24 million views and a peak concurrency of 200,000.

    “Chess has now become more than a game, it’s content, culture, and community,” said Nodwin Gaming co-founder and MD Akshat Rathee. “With this partnership, we’re building a future-ready ecosystem to take Indian chess from heritage to hype.”

    And it’s not just the numbers. The chess revolution is reshaping Indian cities and screens alike, Cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai rank among the world’s top chess-viewing zones. 80.9 per cent of Indian chess viewership is on smartphones. Core audience? Ages 18–34, a Gen Z and millennial-driven wave of tactical fandom

    Chessbase India CEO Sagar Shah sees this as more than a business arrangement, “This is a vision to take Indian chess from grassroots to global. With NODWIN and Chess.com, we now have the firepower to truly scale it.”

    Chess.com India, country director Avadh Shah added, “The excitement around chess is at an all-time high, and this collaboration ensures India plays a defining role in shaping its future.”

    That future arrives fast. At the Esports World Cup 2025, chess will debut with a 1.5 million dollars prize pool. Representing India will be S8ul’s Grandmasters Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram the country’s first-ever esports team to compete in global chess.

    From mobile-first blitz battles to stadium-sized finals, chess is no longer just about black-and-white strategy, it’s a full-spectrum spectacle. And with Nodwin Gaming, Chess.com, and ChessBase India now playing as one, India might just checkmate the world.

  • Rules X ropes in sports tech maven Laila Mintas to turbocharge Europe cricket league’s vision

    Rules X ropes in sports tech maven Laila Mintas to turbocharge Europe cricket league’s vision

    DUBLIN:  Irish sports innovation outfit Rules X, operating partner of the upcoming European T20 Premier League (ETPL), has brought on board sports tech powerhouse Laila Mintas, signalling a bold push to redefine cricket’s future through technology, fan engagement, and strategic disruption.

    From leading Fifa’s anti-match-fixing initiatives and launching Concacaf’s first Sports Integrity Unit, to scaling Sportradar US to over 85 per cent market share and selling Bet.Works for $125 million, Mintas has worn many hats over her 20 years in the global sports betting and the iGaming space.  A Berlin-trained lawyer with a PhD that triggered reforms in Germany’s betting laws, she has also served as CEO of PlayUp USA and PlayEngine, where she oversaw product innovation, AI deployment, and investor relations. Her deep expertise across sports integrity, AI-led fan experience, and regulatory reform positions her as a key catalyst in Rules X’s mission to shape ETPL into a high-octane, tech-forward cricket league for the modern fan.

    She currently sits as non-executive director at UK-based SIS Ltd and leads her consultancy, Dr Mintas Consulting. A multi-award-winning leader, she’s been named one of the most influential figures in sports betting by SBJ, Business Insider, and Global Gaming Business.

    “Cricket is experiencing phenomenal global growth, and the European T20 Premier League, under Rules X, represents a monumental opportunity to transform the fan experience through cutting-edge innovation, technology and strategic partnerships,” exclaimed Mintas. “I am incredibly thrilled to join the Board at this pivotal moment, contributing to a league that truly embraces the future of sports.”

    ETPL Co-owner Priyanka Kaul echoed the sentiment, stating, “We are making conscious efforts to create a differentiated product with the ETPL—one that’s sustainable, exciting, and drives the sport forward. Welcoming a seasoned global leader like  Mintas to our board reinforces our commitment to excellence and innovation. Her global perspective and track record in sports innovation will be invaluable as we shape the future of cricket in Europe and beyond.” 

    The ETPL — featuring both men’s and women’s leagues — is set to bowl its first over in 2026, with matches across iconic European venues. Backed by Rules X, the league aims to be more than just another tournament — a fusion of entertainment, tech and cricketing excellence. 

    The league is being pitched as  Europe’s next big cricket export — and with Mintas on board, it’s stepping up to bat with serious firepower.

  • Shah Rukh rules screens, but celeb ads lose steam in IPL 18

    Shah Rukh rules screens, but celeb ads lose steam in IPL 18

    MUMBAI: Hindi cinema’s beloved Badshah may have remained the king of cricket screens, but the age of celebrity ads during the IPL has started to cool. According to a TAM Sports report analysing all live matches of IPL 18, the share of celebrity-endorsed commercials dipped by 13 per cent from last season, marking a strategic shift among brands embracing broader creative bets.

    This year, celebrity-endorsed ads comprised 53 per cent of total ad volumes during live matches, down from 59 per cent in IPL 17. Non-celebrity-backed commercials, often grounded in concept-led or product-first storytelling, took the remaining 47 per cent slice — a six-point jump year-on-year.

    Film actors led the celebrity endorsement race, accounting for 50 per cent of ad volumes, while sports personalities made up 32 per cent. In contrast, film actresses featured in just 18 per cent of celebrity-led ads, and TV actors barely registered at 0.16 per cent.

    Despite the overall dip, Shah Rukh Khan continued to reign, claiming eight per cent of all celebrity ad volume share in IPL 18 — a solid, if slightly faded, follow-up to his 13 per cent haul from IPL 17. He was trailed by Ananya Panday (seven per cent), Laksh Lalwani (six per cent), and sporting stalwarts like M.S. Dhoni (five per cent) and Ajay Devgn (five per cent).

    Among sports celebrities, M.S. Dhoni once again led the charge with a 17.3 per cent share, followed by Rohit Sharma (13.6 per cent), Suryakumar Yadav (9.5 per cent), Yashasvi Jaiswal (6.4 per cent), and Mohammed Siraj (6.4 per cent). Notably, IPL 18 saw fewer overall and sports celebrities endorsing brands — dropping from 75+ and 35+ in IPL 17 to 60+ and 15+ respectively.

    The food and beverage (F&B) segment proved irresistible for celebrity endorsements. Two of the top five ad categories belonged to F&B: pan masala and biscuits. The other three categories that dominated celebrity tie-ins were e-commerce gaming, financial institutions, and paints. Collectively, these top five segments accounted for 67 per cent of all celeb-endorsed ad volumes.

    Among advertisers, Sporta Technologies, Parle Biscuits, Vishnu Packaging, Playgames24x7, and RSH Global took the lion’s share, collectively clocking 53 per cent of all celebrity-backed ad space.

    As brands rethink ROI in a cluttered media landscape, the 2025 IPL season shows a noticeable shift toward diversified and cost-conscious strategies — with star power still potent but not quite the only currency.