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Tag: Star Sports Network

  • Women’s World Cup hits record viewership highs

    Women’s World Cup hits record viewership highs

    MUMBAI: Cricket fever has turned into a full-blown phenomenon as the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup India 2025 smashes viewership records faster than a boundary off a power hitter’s bat.

    Over 60 million viewers have already tuned in to the first 13 matches across Jiohotstar and Star Sports Network, a staggering five times more than the previous edition. Watch-time has also soared 12-fold to a jaw-dropping 7 billion minutes, proving that women’s cricket isn’t just winning hearts, it’s ruling screens.

    The India vs Pakistan showdown on 5 October bowled the world over, becoming the most-watched women’s international cricket match in history with a reach of 28.4 million and 1.87 billion minutes watched. The India vs Australia clash wasn’t far behind, hitting a record 4.8 million peak concurrent viewers on Jiohotstar, the highest ever for women’s cricket.

    Television audiences have been equally captivated. The India–Pakistan league game has become the highest-rated in Women’s ODI World Cup history, while the first 11 matches together reached 72 million viewers, marking a 166 per cent leap from the last tournament. Viewing minutes jumped 327 per cent to 6.3 billion, underscoring the growing passion for the women’s game.

    “The incredible viewership for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup India 2025 is a true testament to the growing interest in women’s sports in India,” said Jiostar head of viewership and monetisation initiatives – sports Siddharth Sharma. “Fans are embracing women’s sports like never before, and at Jiostar, we’re proud to be the platform powering this movement.”

    Much of the success stems from a unified marketing push by the ICC and Jiostar, supported by the BCCI. The ICC’s global ‘Will to Win’ campaign and Jiostar’s emotionally charged ‘Jersey wahi toh jazbaa wahi’ have together sparked a national conversation and brought fans closer to the women in blue.

    The matches are being broadcast in five languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, across Jiohotstar and Star Sports channels, with an Indian sign language feed introduced for the first time to make the game more inclusive.

     

  • PKL raids new turf with 8 languages and referee cam for Season 12

    PKL raids new turf with 8 languages and referee cam for Season 12

    MUMBAI: Kabaddi is no longer just heard in a single tongue, it’s shouting from the rooftops in eight. As the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 kicks off on 29 August, fans can expect a whole new playbook of innovation, from fresh formats and referee cams to commentary in eight languages.

    For the first time, the league goes truly multilingual. Alongside English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Marathi, viewers can now hear raids in Haryanvi and Bhojpuri a move that takes kabaddi deeper into its northern heartlands. Bhojpuri has already been a smash hit with cricket audiences, while Haryanvi adds a hyperlocal connect.

    And the voices leading the charge are just as starry. Ravi Kishan headlines the Bhojpuri feed, while Srinivas Reddy takes Telugu. Champions K. Prapanjan (Tamil), Mohit Chhillar (Haryanvi), Vishal Mane (Marathi), former India women’s captain Mamatha Poojary (Kannada) and raider Rishank Devadiga add insider flair. Add to that the likes of Sunil Taneja, Vrajesh Hirjee, Padamjeet Sehrawat, NC Kaushik and Chaitanya Sant, and the mat suddenly sounds richer than ever.

    The tech side gets a glow-up too. Fans can now experience two dugout views, a split screen revival tracker, and the big debut, the ‘Referee Cam’, which flips between live play and a bodycam perspective, plunging viewers into the heart of a raid.

    “Season 12 is about making the game more accessible and more engaging than ever,” said JioStar head of audience engagement Siddharth Sharma,  at . “By presenting the league in eight languages and adding immersive tools like referee cam, we’re creating a richer, more inclusive kabaddi story.”

    On the mat, the action is just as fierce. Tie-breakers will now settle drawn matches in the league phase, ensuring no game ends flat. A brand-new play-in phase has been added: the top two teams sail straight into the playoffs, 3rd and 4th contest a mini-qualifier, while 5th to 8th fight it out for the remaining slots.

    With every raid live on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar, Season 12 promises to be kabaddi like never before faster, louder, and more local, with the referee’s whistle now literally in your ear.

  • Rana Daggubati leads JioStar campaign for PKL Season 12 Ghus Kar Maarenge

    Rana Daggubati leads JioStar campaign for PKL Season 12 Ghus Kar Maarenge

    MUMBAI: When Rana Daggubati says Ghus Kar Maarenge, even the toughest villains step back. JioStar has kicked off its Season 12 Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) campaign with a high-octane film starring the Telugu star, setting the tone for what promises to be the most aggressive and competitive season yet. Released in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, the film opens with Daggubati confronting a hostile group outside a mansion. With a snap of his fingers, he flips the script summoning carpets, drums, and grandeur before marching forward to face them down, echoing kabaddi’s signature blend of poise and power. He seals the film with a line every Titan fan will remember: “Ghuss ke marne ki baatein toh sab karte hai, but hum Telugu Titans wale karke dikhaate hai.”

    Season 12 arrives with new rules designed to guarantee results in every match, upping the stakes for fans and players alike. “The campaign reflects this shift in intensity,” a JioStar spokesperson explained, noting that Daggubati’s screen presence, composure, and authority made him the natural choice.

    For Daggubati, the association is personal. “Kabaddi is not just a sport, it’s a battle of will, power, and fearless spirit. The Pro Kabaddi League has redefined how we look at home-grown sports in India. There’s something electrifying about the raw aggression on the mat every single match,” he said.

    The action begins on 29 August, with a southern showdown between Telugu Titans and Tamil Thalaivas in the season opener. Every tackle, raid, and block will stream live and exclusive on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network, as kabaddi prepares to deliver yet another adrenaline-charged spectacle.

  • Kabaddi scores a social touchdown with multilingual digital slam

    Kabaddi scores a social touchdown with multilingual digital slam

     MUMBAI: They tackled language barriers like a raider takes on defenders and came out with the trophy. The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has added a digital feather to its cap, bagging the ‘Social Media Campaign’ award in the Multilingual Campaign category at the ET Brand Equity Trendies 2025. The win celebrates PKL Season 11’s innovative and inclusive digital engagement strategy, executed by Mashal Sports in collaboration with Sportz Interactive, which saw fans across linguistic and cultural divides connect like never before.

    Held from October 18 to December 29, 2024, Season 11 wasn’t just action-packed on the mat, it was a slam dunk online too. The campaign’s multilingual format reached deep into regional fanbases, ensuring that the raiding and defending didn’t just speak one language, but many.

    The digital blitz hit the sweet spot, delivering high engagement across platforms like Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, X, and the Pro Kabaddi app, with vernacular content crafted for fans from every corner of the country. The league’s social-first, fan-first approach resonated with a wide base, helping PKL boost brand affinity and reinforce its position as one of India’s most loved sporting leagues.

    And the kabaddi action doesn’t stop there. The buzz now shifts to the Season 12 Player Auction, which will be held on May 31 and June 1, 2025, in Mumbai. Fans can catch Category A auction proceedings live on the Star Sports Network and Jiocinema starting 7 pm on May 31.

    For those who want real-time updates (in the language of their choice, no less), PKL’s Live Auction Centre on prokabaddi.com and the Pro Kabaddi official app will be the go-to. With the social handles prokabaddi across platforms staying in beast mode, fans can expect another season of full-contact, full-volume entertainment on and off the mat.

    If Season 11 was about digital dominance, Season 12 promises to be a perfectly executed raid into uncharted fan territories.

  • IPL 2025 blows the roof off as JioStar makes a smashing start to the season

    IPL 2025 blows the roof off as JioStar makes a smashing start to the season

    MUMBAI: What do you get when you mix cricket, chaos, and cutting-edge tech? A weekend that made broadcasting history. As the 18 edition of the Tata IPL exploded onto screens across India, JioStar didn’t just steal the show—it rewrote the playbook. Fans were glued, data broke dance moves, and TVRs soared higher than a Virat Kohli six.

    JioStar’s opening weekend went full throttle. Digital and TV viewership blew past all previous records, with a jaw-dropping 4,956 crore minutes of collective watch time. That’s right—India’s cricket-obsessed millions clocked in for what might be the most-watched IPL opening weekend ever. JioHotstar alone racked up 137 crore views, including 3.4 crore peak concurrency and 2,186 crore minutes of binge-worthy action. Someone give those data servers a pat on the back.

    Television wasn’t left behind either. The Star Sports Network scored 25.3 crore viewers for the first three matches, according to BARC data. That’s a 22 per cent jump from last year, with average TVR shooting up 39 per cent like a Hardik Pandya bouncer.

    JioStar CEO – sports Sanjog Gupta said the silent part out loud, “The record-breaking viewership across digital and TV platforms over the opening weekend of Tata IPL 2025 reaffirms the tournament’s unmatched popularity…” In short, they knew this beast would be big—and it didn’t disappoint.

    JioStar CEO – digital Kiran Mani chimed in like a proud parent at a school play, “IPL 2025 is setting a new benchmark for how India engages with live sports and entertainment at an unmatched scale…” Basically, if it’s got a screen, JioStar wants to light it up with cricket.

    And advertisers? They’re salivating. Over 30 marquee brands have pitched their tents in JioStar’s prime-time jungle, including Amazon Prime, Google Pay, SBI, Dream11, Phonepe, and Thums Up. Why? Because it’s where the eyeballs—and the wallets—are. Digital ads now come with targeting sharper than a Jasprit Bumrah yorker, personalised formats, and juicy insights.

    But wait, there’s more. The new season isn’t just big—it’s loud, flashy, and personal. With 25+ feeds in 12 languages and over 170 experts adding spice, JioStar’s coverage is part circus, part cinema. Fans aren’t just watching—they’re chatting, predicting, partying virtually, and basically turning passive viewing into a digital cricket mosh pit.

    JioHotstar’s ‘MaxView’ feature stretches visuals edge-to-edge like an extra-cheese pizza, while the quirky ‘Hangout’ feed brings gen z creators and stand-up comics to the commentary box. And for the younger lot, ‘Motu Patlu Presents Super Funday’ dishes out family-friendly fun, because apparently even cartoons can’t resist the IPL fever.

    In a hat-tip to tech-savvy fans, JioStar added a second-screen engagement gimmick: miss a big moment on telly? Just scan a QR code and boom—you’re watching the highlight before the next ball is bowled. Who needs a remote when your phone’s doing all the heavy lifting?

    Fresh off its successful run with the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, JioStar is already claiming IPL 2025 will be the “biggest ever”. Infinite possibilities? Sure. But for now, let’s just say they’ve smashed it out of the park.

  • From gully to glory: ISPL season 2 auction hits almost Rs 6 Crore heights

    From gully to glory: ISPL season 2 auction hits almost Rs 6 Crore heights

    MUMBAI: Once the heartbeat of neighborhood streets and childhood dreams, gully cricket has shattered its humble origins to rise as a blockbuster spectacle. Remember the friendly squabbles over who bats first, whose ball to use, or even whose rules to follow? Fast forward, and that same spirit of street cricket now boasts celebrity-backed glamour, roaring stadium crowds, and jaw-dropping auctions reaching nearly Rs 6 crore.

    The Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) season 2 auction proved nothing short of electrifying. With six teams fiercely bidding for the best talents, over Rs 5.54 crore exchanged hands in a dramatic evening of high-stakes action. The world’s most relatable form of cricket now shares a stage once reserved for titans like the IPL, turning makeshift pitches into million-dollar dreams.

    Mark your calendars, as this thrilling saga unfolds on 26 January 2025, at Mumbai’s iconic Dadoji Kondadev Stadium, promising an epic showdown until 15 February. Street cricket is no longer a game; it’s a revolution.

    The auction saw 350 players, shortlisted from trials in 55 cities, go under the hammer, with 96 players securing spots across the six teams. Among the standout moments was Abhishek Kumar Dalhor becoming the most expensive buy at Rs 20.50 lakh, acquired by Majhi Mumbai, owned by Amitabh Bachchan. Another highlight was the selection of 15-year-old Sharik Yasir, the youngest player in the auction, who joined Srinagar Ke Veer, owned by Akshay Kumar, for Rs 3 lakh.

    ISPL, a T10 tennis-ball cricket tournament, debuted earlier this year and has quickly gained recognition for providing a professional platform for street cricket talent. This season introduced new rules, including the right-to-match (RTM) feature and icon player slots, allowing teams to retain fan favourites and bring in marquee players.

    Notable icon player acquisitions included:

    1   Abhishek Kumar Dalhor (Rs 20.50 lakh) – Majhi Mumbai

    2   Saroj Paramanik (Rs 16.25 lakh) – KVN Bangalore Strikers

    3   Krishna Satpute (Rs 8.50 lakh) – Falcon Risers Hyderabad

    4   Dilip Binjwa (Rs 6 lakh) – Srinagar Ke Veer

    The league’s inaugural season garnered significant fan interest, with ISPL players becoming household names. Sachin Tendulkar, a core committee member, praised the league’s efforts, “ISPL has created a competitive platform for talented players to showcase their skills. The enthusiasm and performances from season 1 were remarkable, and we are thrilled to expand to more cities this season.”

    League Commissioner, Suraj Samat announced plans for trials in 101 cities for ISPL’s third season, reflecting the league’s commitment to unearthing talent from every corner of the country.

    He added, “The introduction of the RTM rule and strong team squads ensure this season will be even more exciting for fans. ISPL’s growth is a testament to the love for cricket in India.”

    ISPL season 2 will air on Star Sports Network and stream on JioCinema, promising fans thrilling matches and unmatched entertainment.

  • Pro Kabaddi League season 11 to commence on 18 October

    Pro Kabaddi League season 11 to commence on 18 October

    Mumbai: Mashal Sports, organisers of Pro Kabaddi League, announced that PKL season 11 will begin on 18 October 2024. After successfully completing ten seasons of the Pro Kabaddi League earlier this year, the world’s biggest kabaddi league will embark into a new phase in October.

    In season 11, the Pro Kabaddi League will return to the three-city caravan format. The 2024 edition will commence at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad on 18 October, before moving to the Noida Indoor Stadium for the second leg from 10 November. The third leg will take place at the Balewadi Badminton Stadium in Pune, from 3 December onwards.

    The dates and venue for the playoffs will be announced at a later date.

    Speaking on the announcement of the dates for PKL season 11, Pro Kabaddi League – league commissioner – Anupam Goswami said, “We are delighted to announce the start date and venues for PKL Season 11. After successfully completing 10 seasons, PKL Season 11 will mark a new milestone in the continued rise of the league. This would strengthen the growth of Kabaddi in India and elsewhere around the world.”

    The Pro Kabaddi League season 11 auction was held in Mumbai from 15-16 August 2024, with eight players going for over Rs 1 crore, a new record in the league’s history.

    Mashal Sports and Disney Star have built PKL into one of the most successful sports leagues in India. Organized and conducted by Mashal under its sanctioned agreement with the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), the Pro Kabaddi League has transformed the image of India’s indigenous sport of Kabaddi and its athletes nationally as well as across the globe. After witnessing the participation of many of their players in PKL, several Kabaddi-playing nations have strengthened their domestic Kabaddi programs as well.

    The Pro Kabaddi League season 11 will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and streamed on Disney+ Hotstar.
     

  • Pro Govinda League Season 2 to be broadcast on Star Sports Network

    Pro Govinda League Season 2 to be broadcast on Star Sports Network

    Mumbai: As the nation celebrates another memorable year of Independence, one of its beloved festive and sporting activities is set to take centre stage on 18 August. The Pro Govinda League, a celebration of the traditional sporting and cultural activity of Dahi Handi, will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network.

    Now in its second season, the Pro Govinda League is organised by passionate leaders, including MLA Pratap Sarnaik, chairman & founder of the Pro Govinda League, Purvesh Parisha Pratap Sarnaik, league president, Mohomed Morani, league director, Mazhar Nadiadwala, league director, and Vihang Sarnaik, league director, with the backing of the Maharashtra Government.

    The grand finale of Season 2 of the Pro Govinda League will be held on 18 August at the Dome SVP Stadium and will be broadcast on Star Sports First 4 PM onwards. The league will feature commentary in Hindi, with English and Marathi as language options.

    Sixteen teams from across Maharashtra will battle it out for the top prize in one of the state’s most prestigious competitions. Each team will showcase their athletic prowess and strong teamwork in forming human pyramids to perform the salami, a pre-qualification round that emphasises skill and precision. The competition will follow an exciting league format this season.

    Purvesh Parisha Pratap Sarnaik, league president said, “Pro Govinda showcases our dedication to promoting athletic excellence while preserving our traditions and culture, fostering both cultural harmony and sporting spirit. Our vision is to inspire thousands of Govindas (players) from across the region, and we are thrilled to partner with Star Sports to elevate this league to a broader audience. We wish all the teams and their owners the very best for the competition.”

    Vihang Sarnaik league director added, “Pro Govinda League 2024 is close to the hearts of everyone in Maharashtra, and we eagerly await the final day of the league. This year, we are expanding beyond Maharashtra, with Star Sports as our broadcast partner, helping us reach a larger audience. We wish all the teams and their owners the very best.”

    Mohomed Morani league director said, “Pro Govinda League 2024 is a proud moment for everyone in Maharashtra, and we are honoured to be part of this special journey. The involvement of Star Sports, one of the country’s leading channels, underscores the cultural significance and love for the Pro Govinda League. We look forward to entertaining viewers on 18 August.”

    Mazhar Nadiadwala league director stated, “Pro Govinda 2024 is a celebration of Maharashtra’s cultural vibrancy and sporting prowess, and we are ecstatic that it will be broadcast on television screens nationwide via Star Sports. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the state’s rich culture and heritage to the nation, and we are confident of a great response from fans.”

  • Star Sports to broadcast Premier League 2024/25 season in 4K resolution

    Star Sports to broadcast Premier League 2024/25 season in 4K resolution

    Mumbai: Star Sports Network, the official broadcaster of the Premier League, has announced that the 2024/25 season will be broadcast in stunning 4K definition for the first time on Indian linear television. This marks a momentous leap for football viewing audiences in India, offering fans unparalleled clarity and immersion as they cheer on their favourite teams in the top tier of English football.

    Starting from 17 August, Premier League fans can watch the new season in 4K resolution on Star 4K. The opening fixture, Manchester United vs. Fulham at 12:30 am, will kick off the broadcast. The first game week will also include Ipswich Town vs. Liverpool and Chelsea vs. Manchester City on Sunday.

    Star 4K is available exclusively as a value-added service (VAS) on Airtel Xstream and TATA Play Binge+. Current and potential 4K users should contact their DTH providers to access this service.

    Throughout the season, Star 4K will broadcast selective matches featuring the ‘Big 6’ teams—Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham. Fans of these legendary clubs can look forward to experiencing their games in crystal-clear 4K, with four times better picture quality and a highly enhanced audio experience.

    Star 4K first made its debut during TATA IPL 2024, and since then, it has elevated the viewing experience of major tournaments such as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Wimbledon 2024, Women’s Asia Cup 2024, Tamil Nadu Premier League 2024, and BGMI Masters Series Season 3. This new milestone with the Premier League further underscores Star Sports’ commitment to providing state-of-the-art sports content for fans across India.

    In addition to the Premier League, Star 4K will also feature a stellar lineup of upcoming sports events, including the Caribbean Premier League, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, and the much-awaited Pro Kabaddi League Season 11. Additionally, Star 4K recently elevated the viewer experience by hosting the 4K TV Premieres of several blockbuster Bollywood movies, including Brahmastra, Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, and 83. This highlights the service’s dedication to delivering premium content and further strengthens its value proposition and offerings.

  • BGMI Masters Series season three to launch on the Star Sports Network

    BGMI Masters Series season three to launch on the Star Sports Network

    Mumbai: The BGMI Masters Series (BGMS) is back with its highly anticipated third season. Season three will begin on Friday, 19 July at 7:00 pm and will run until 11 August on the Star Sports Network. This season promises to be the most thrilling yet, with several innovative features for an esports experience like never before.

    Broadcast schedule:

    . Monday to Saturday: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

    . League week Sundays; playoff & finals: 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

    Channel mix:

    Fans can catch all the action on Star Sports 2 (HD & SD) in English and Star Sports First in Hindi. Fans will also have the option to switch to Tamil & Hindi commentary on SS2 using the blue button.

    Digital streaming:

    The entire BGMI Masters Series will also be streamed on Star Sports & Nodwin Gaming’s YouTube, making it accessible to a broader audience.

    Exciting new features for season three:

    1. Powerplay:

     . Returning from season two to make the game action-packed from the get-go, this feature rewards double the points to squads for each finish they achieve in the first circle of each match.

    2. Impact player:

    . For the first time, the in-game leader will conduct a random draw to select the Impact Player. This player will earn double points for each finish.

    3. Bounty:

    .  Also debuting this season, the top four teams based on the standings of the league week’s first match will carry a bounty. In subsequent matches, the top four teams overall will carry a bounty, with ten bounty points awarded for wiping out an entire squad.

    Impact and reach:

    Over the first two seasons, BGMS has garnered an impressive reach of over 100 million across linear and digital platforms. As the biggest esports IP in the country, BGMS continues to play a pivotal role in bringing esports into the mainstream.

    Fan engagement initiative: play with the masters:

    BGMI fans now have the unique opportunity to play the game directly with top BGMI gamers featured in BGMS everyday through the ‘Play with the Masters’ initiative. This exciting feature, introduced by Star Sports and Nodwin Gaming, encourages viewers to follow Star Sports’ & Nodwin Gaming’s social handles and tune into the BGMS broadcast for updates on how to participate.