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Tag: Star Sports Network

  • Star Sports Network acquires broadcasting rights for Esports World Cup 2024

    Star Sports Network acquires broadcasting rights for Esports World Cup 2024

    Mumbai: Star Sports Network and the Esports World Cup Foundation (“EWCF”) today announced the acquisition of broadcasting rights for the Esports World Cup (“EWC”) 2024. The tournament, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 3 July to 25 August, will unite the global gaming communities and deliver premier competition in a unique format at an unprecedented scale. Over eight weeks, the EWC will feature the world’s top Esports clubs competing in 21 of the most popular game titles, making it the largest multi-game Esports tournament ever. As the official broadcaster, Star Sports is set to deliver comprehensive coverage of the tournament, offering viewers and fans an unparalleled Esports experience with in-depth commentary in English and Hindi. The Esports World Cup will be streamed on Star Sports’ YouTube channel and broadcast on linear TV via Star Sports First and Star Sports 2.

    In 2022, BGMI Masters became the first Esports franchise to be broadcast in India by the Star Sports Network, drawing in millions of viewers over its linear television debut. Highlighting the immense popularity of the online multiplayer battle royale game, Star Sports has been instrumental in bringing esports to the mainstream Indian gaming audience.

    Disney Star head marketing – sports Vikram Passi stated, “Esports is rapidly emerging as a significant force, fuelled by India’s burgeoning gaming culture and its recognition on the global stage. The BGMI Masters’ Series, in just a few seasons, has firmly established itself as a premier tournament in India, demonstrating the immense potential for world-class Esports competitions. With the upcoming Esports World Cup broadcast, we aim to expand our audience base, energize the gaming community, and foster greater acceptance of Esports among non-gamers. This event will not only captivate dedicated Esports enthusiasts but also engage a younger demographic across our platforms, driving a broader appreciation for the competitive gaming landscape.”

    Esports World Cup Foundation CEO Ralf Reichert said “Our partnership with Star Sports brings the Esports World Cup to India’s massive and passionate gaming audience. Having witnessed this firsthand, I’m thrilled to nurture India’s growing esports scene and inspire future champions. With the world’s best competing in Riyadh, we hope to spark a new wave of esports fandom in India, and maybe even see an Indian team claim victory.”

    The EWC will offer the largest prize pool in esports and feature the most popular esports titles across all major gaming genres. It will welcome a new cross-game competition format, awarding prizes for individual game titles and club performances. This will be the first-ever e-sports world cup with a prize pool of more than $60 million (Rs 500 crore)

    The eight games to be broadcasted on Star Sports Network are Call of Duty: Warzone, Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, Overwatch 2, Apex Legends, Fortnite, EA Sports FC 24, and PUBG Battlegrounds.

    Specific highlights include:

    . Opening broadcast: Week one, 3 July at 10 pm on SS First and SS YT Channel with Call of Duty: Warzone in Hindi.

    . Weekly Schedule: From week three, starting 18 July, EWC will be broadcast at 9 pm on SS2 and SS First along with SS YT Channel.

    . Hindi Commentary: Call of Duty: Warzone (week one) and Counter-Strike 2 (week three) will be shown with Hindi commentary on SS First along with and SS YT Channel.

    The Esports World Cup broadcast on the Star Sports Network will further solidify esports as one of the fastest-growing sports in India, bringing the best of global esports action to India. The Esports World Cup Foundation is pleased to share Star Sports’ vision in bringing esports to a broader audience as they continue to pave the way for the future of competitive gaming in India.

  • NODWIN Gaming announces BGMS Season 3

    NODWIN Gaming announces BGMS Season 3

    Mumbai: NODWIN Gaming, South Asia’s gaming and esports company has announced the highly anticipated third edition of India’s premier esports event – BGMI Masters Series (BGMS). The tournament will be televised live on India’s leading sports broadcaster Star Sports for the third consecutive year.  

    BGMS Season 3 will witness India’s top 24 teams competing in one of the nation’s biggest Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) tournaments scheduled from July 19 to August 11.

    Sharing his enthusiasm, NODWIN Gaming co-founder and managing director Akshat Rathee expressed, “Being the biggest esports IP in India, BGMS has been a cornerstone of esports action in the country since its inception two years ago. This edition marks a significant milestone for us as BGMS returns to a major sports TV network like Star Sports, for the third time, offering unparalleled visibility to esports talent & associated brands on mainstream television. Our team has always strived to deliver top-tier esports experiences and will leave no stone unturned in leveraging our years of expertise in the production and broadcast space to bring the best of the best esports action on television once again. Together, with the incredible team at Star Sports, we are committed to cementing esports’ status as a mainstream sport amongst the masses, and eagerly anticipate an exciting season ahead.”

    The tournament has continued its association with TVS Raider, the sporty commuter motorcycle from TVS Motor Company as the Official Mobility Partner, and Philips OneBlade, the male grooming product of Philips India as the competition’s Official Styling Partner.

    “We are thrilled to announce the third season in partnership with a plethora of remarkable brands, who share our collective vision to nurture esports talent across the country. The involvement and support of leading brands highlights the growing youth base of this new-age sport, and how BGMS is positioned to reach out and capture the largest market share of this growing audience.”  he further added.

    The previous season of BGMS garnered a remarkable viewership on the Star Sports Network, underscoring its growing popularity and appeal amongst audiences throughout the nation. As the tournament returns for a third consecutive year on Star Sports, it reaffirms its position as a linchpin of India’s esports calendar.

    “Star Sports has always been committed to bringing the best of sports entertainment to its viewers. The rapid rise of esports in the country has made it an exciting addition to our portfolio, tapping into a wide demographic of tech-savvy younger generations. Having accumulated monumental viewership for the past two seasons, BGMS has not only helped us showcase the best of esports action but also to bridge the gap between traditional sports and esports in India. With the invaluable support of NODWIN Gaming, we look forward to another high-octane season this year, offering unparalleled BGMI action to our viewers,” said Star Sports Network head of marketing Vikram Passi.

    NODWIN Gaming, alongside each of the partner brands, will play a pivotal role in making BGMS Season 3, a premium esports experience for fans across the nation, setting new benchmarks in Indian esports.

  • Cricket live show – reigning over 400 million viewers on TV

    Cricket live show – reigning over 400 million viewers on TV

    Cricket Live – The pre/post-match show surrounding live matches on Star Sports during cricket mega events like TATA IPL and Cricket World Cups has for long delivered an astounding scale on television. In TATA IPL 2023 Cricket Live reached 407 million viewers on Star Sports, a scale like never before (BARC). In the ongoing season of TATA IPL, the show has already reached 334 million unique viewers in just 29 days, a new record for Star Sports. In fact, as per BARC 80% of the live match viewers on television watch Cricket Live. 

    Star Sports

    The Ultimate ‘Impact’ Show

    As per BARC, in less than 30 days, Amul Cricket Live has amassed 344 million viewers, a scale like never before on Star Sports during the Incredible Premier League. Just a month’s reach of Cricket Live is 3X or more of the full season reach of the largest shows on television including reality, comedy and dance shows which range between 100-120mn. In fact,a full season’s reach of Cricket Live on television is almost equivalent to the combined reach of these shows. Even the single day reach of Cricket Live on TV in the TATA IPL Final last year was 126 million, equivalent to the full season reach of the biggest reality show of the year. 

    Star Sports

    Viewership Growth Across Audience Segments on Cricket Live

    The unrivaled passion for cricket has attracted viewers across segments on Cricket Live and the viewership growth across these segments has been robust over the last couple of editions. 45% of Cricket Live viewers on TV are female, growing by a staggering40% over 2022. Youth is another segment that has showcased a massive increase growing 40% over two editions. In terms of affluent viewers, Cricket Live has witnessed a 35% growth in viewership, showcasing high affinity towards premium audiences. (BARC Data)

    High Impact Visibility Across the Star Sports Network

    Cricket Live is broadcast across the Star Sports network,spanning across multiple language feeds, bringing in a regional flavor to the broadcast. Featuring across these feeds are 100+ cricket legends and experts joining a host of TV anchors that have become household names in India. 

    Stay tuned to know more about the ways in which brands leverage Cricket Live. 
     

  • Tata IPL’s biggest TV opening: 17 crore viewers on Disney Star Network

    Tata IPL’s biggest TV opening: 17 crore viewers on Disney Star Network

    Mumbai: Disney Star, the official broadcaster of the TATA IPL has started season 17 of TATA IPL with a record-breaking Opening Day. 16.8 crore unique viewers watched the broadcast of TATA IPL 2024 on Day 1, registering a watch time of 1276 crore minutes – the *highest ever for the opening day of any IPL season.

    The opening day of TATA IPL 2024 on the Disney Star network, for the first time ever, featured eight of the 10 captains for season 17, reflecting on what the tournament has in store for them as well as the potential opportunities and challenges. This unfiltered account of the IPL captains’ expectations made for compelling viewing on opening day.

    Season 17 of TATA IPL, also witnessed the highest-ever peak TV concurrency for an IPL opening day, with 6.1 crore viewers watching the broadcast simultaneously on the Disney Star network.

    A Star Sports spokesperson said, “This is a monumental achievement, made possible by fans’ love for Star Sports and an unwavering commitment of the network to ‘serving fans’. We would also like to thank all our partners and extend heartfelt gratitude to the BCCI for their support of the wide array of initiatives that Star Sports has continually undertaken to grow Cricket and TATA IPL. This growth is a reaffirmation of the incomparable capacity of Live Cricket to aggregate audiences on TV and provides a blockbuster start to the tournament. We will continue to enrich the magic of one of the world’s biggest sporting events to take forward the launch momentum and deliver unprecedented viewership.”

    A star-studded line-up of talent comprising IPL title winners, World Cup champions, reputed coaches and legends from the game presented the Opening Day. It saw Navjot Singh Sidhu return to the commentary box and join India’s World Champions Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth. It witnessed debuts of Steve Smith and Stuart Broad, who join legends Brian Lara, Matthew Hayden, Kevin Pietersen, Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn in presenting TATA IPL 2024. CSK’s former stars Ambati Rayudu, Murali Vijay, L Balaji and Subramaniam Badrinath along with IPL champions Vinay Kumar and Venugopal Rao were at the forefront of Disney Star’s regional feeds in nine languages.

    The ensemble of 120 cricketers was complimented by national and regional celebrities as well as fan-favourite presenters and content creators, to deliver wholesome entertainment on the opening day.

    The other drivers of the staggering opening day viewership were Star Sports’ high-decibel marketing campaign, innovative programming initiatives and fan activations. The compelling marketing campaign celebrated diverse shades of fandom associated with TATA IPL building anticipation for the start of the tournament while the network’s programming, committed to “serving fans”, delivered content catering to diverse audience cohorts to drive increased engagement.

    The Star Nahi Far initiative which seeks to bring fans closer to their favourite superstars from the world of cricket witnessed incredible turnouts across Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Kochi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Lucknow, helping galvanise fans across the country.

    The record-breaking TV viewership on the Opening Day comes on the back of an incredible lead-up to season 17 which attracted more than 24.5 crore unique viewers till a week prior to the start of the tournament.

    Star Sports has also launched TATA IPL in 4K with Atmos sound across major DTH platforms, to deliver enhanced visual delight complimented with an incomparable audio experience.

    Star Sports has also launched a special feed for the differently abled with descriptive commentary and sign language interpretation, for the visually impaired, deaf or hard-of-hearing fans, making this IPL truly inclusive. This is the first time for any marquee sporting event, anywhere in the world to have a LIVE feed for differently abled.

    The runner-up for the Graham Bell award for technology, surprised the nation with introduction of their AI technology which allowed international experts to engage with fans in their local languages.

    Source:

    BARC data
    *Excluding 2020 (COVID Year)

    Watch the thrilling action of the Tata IPL 2024 live on TV on the Star Sports Network from 22 March – 26 May 2024.

  • Star Sports, Tata Play, & Airtel Digital TV collab to elevate Tata IPL 2024 viewing experience

    Star Sports, Tata Play, & Airtel Digital TV collab to elevate Tata IPL 2024 viewing experience

    Mumbai: Star Sports Network, the official broadcaster of Tata IPL 2024, is poised to revolutionise content viewing with a range of innovative features designed to enrich the fan experience. This Tata IPL, Star Sports has played a pivotal role, leveraging cutting-edge technology, with the launch of 4K enabled Value Added Services (VAS) which will be available for subscription to Tata Play and Airtel Digital TV subscribers. Additionally, with a focus on interactivity, Star Sports has associated with Tata Play to elevate viewer engagement during this year’s Tata IPL season, introducing special features, Star Sports R.E.D. (Relive, Engage, Decode), accessible at the click of a button.

    “This Tata IPL 2024, the enthusiasm amongst fans is at an all-time high. Our association with Tata Play and Airtel Digital TV marks a significant stride towards enhancing the viewing experience for Tata IPL enthusiasts. The introduction of TATA IPL in 4K in the form of VAS stands as a monumental innovation, particularly revolutionizing sports viewing across the nation. We remain committed to serving fans with a holistic and comprehensive viewing experience, harnessing cutting-edge technology, thus enabling them with a best-in-class visual delight,” said Disney Star head – distribution and international Gurjeev Singh Kapoor.

    Commenting on the collaboration, Airtel Digital TV CEO Siddharth Sharma said, “4K service on TV is the next leap in television entertainment, promising viewers an unparalleled visual experience. Today, we are thrilled to be launching India’s first 4K service on Airtel Digital TV, just in time to bring even more immersive and breath-taking experience for cricket fans this IPL season.”

    “We are excited to partner with Disney Star to launch our new value-added service, Tata Play 4K. This new addition will help our viewers experience sports and entertainment content in a new immersive manner. In just INR 99/month, our subscribers will get to experience the pinnacle of visual excellence with unrivalled quality in stunning 4K resolution at the comfort of their homes. With this development we are not only elevating TV viewing as an interactive experience but also opening doors to exploring new blends of technology and quality for linear television,” said Tata Play chief commercial and content officer Pallavi Puri.

    With the launch of 4K as a value-added service (VAS), viewers of Tata Play and Airtel Digital TV will get an opportunity for an enhanced viewing experience, offering unparalleled clarity and detail, bringing every moment to life like never before. This is the first time Tata IPL can be viewed in 4K as a VAS platform service on TV and will be available for subscription to Tata Play and Airtel Digital TV viewers.

    Through Star Sports R.E.D. (Relive, Engage, Decode) features, Tata Play viewers can access a range of immersive features designed to enrich their engagement with the matches at the click of a button. This year, the special features will be available throughout the day and not just during the match. Content for three streams will be provided to viewers to Relive, Engage and Decode the sport like never before. Viewers will be able to ‘Relive’ the action through Key Moments and Highlights while the match is going on and get to view concise highlights later. A Star Cam will follow the captain or the star player live on the field, allowing fans to ‘Engage’ with the sport and also get to hear the player’s views after the match. Fans will be able to ‘Decode’ the sport through a live dynamic data feed and review the match with deep data insights later.

  • PKL Season 10 on Star Sports Network hits 226M viewers in initial 90 matches

    PKL Season 10 on Star Sports Network hits 226M viewers in initial 90 matches

    Mumbai: Star Sports Network, the official broadcaster of Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), continues to offset new benchmarks for Kabaddi viewership in the country. The league’s milestone Season 10 has captivated an astounding 226 million* viewers during the initial 90 matches, showcasing a remarkable 17 per cent increase in reach compared to season nine and making it the only sport outside cricket to cross the 200 million mark multiple times. Furthermore, the broadcaster has recorded 38 billion minutes* of watch time, 15 per cent higher than Season nine during the same period. Additionally, there has been a 22 per cent rise in TVR**, highlighting the growing popularity of Kabaddi among Indian sports enthusiasts.

    The PKL Season 10 has already surpassed last year’s viewership figures, with the playoffs and finals yet to be played. The playoffs will begin from 26th February 2024 at Gachibowli Indoor Stadium (G. M. C. Balayogi Indoor Stadium) in Hyderabad with the finals to played on 1 March 2024.

    “Pro Kabaddi League embodies the principles of intense competition, and a strong commitment to fan engagement. Our focus on showcasing India’s emerging Kabaddi talent has been pivotal in elevating the league’s stature. Season 10 reflects the league’s continuous expansion and development as we continue to break records. The past decade has been marked by growth, and a steadfast commitment to delivering a top-notch viewing experience. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to fans for their passionate support, and as we approach the milestone season’s conclusion, we are dedicated to delivering a grand finale,” said a Star Sports spokesperson.

    PKL Season 10 marks a significant milestone, solidifying its position as the second biggest sporting property in India. The league provides a platform for emerging talent to showcase their skills alongside global icons on a grand stage. Players such as Maninder Singh, Arjun Deshwal, Mohammadreza Shadloui, and Ashu Malik have captivated audiences with their exceptional performances, making every match a thrilling spectacle.

    As the league unfolds, the competition intensifies with nine teams still in contention for the five open spots for the playoffs. With the business end of the season approaching, fans can expect an exhilarating conclusion to the league stages, filled with action-packed matches and nail-biting moments.

    Source:

    *BARC 2+U+R

    **BARC 15+ M AB

  • Ranbir Kapoor’s cinematic roar echoes in support of Team India on Cricket Live

    Ranbir Kapoor’s cinematic roar echoes in support of Team India on Cricket Live

    Mumbai: In an exciting convergence of Bollywood glamour and high-stakes cricket, the charismatic Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor is set to make a dazzling appearance on the Star Sports “Cricket Live” pre-show. The much-anticipated event will see Kapoor promoting his eagerly awaited pan-India movie “Animal” while extending his support to Team India during their blockbuster semi-final clash against New Zealand.

    This electrifying collaboration adds a touch of cinematic excitement to the cricketing arena as fans gear up for a nail-biting rematch from the 2019 World Cup semi-final, where New Zealand emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter. With Team India seeking redemption from their previous defeat, the stakes are higher than ever, promising an unforgettable blend of cinematic charisma and cricketing fervour on the cricket live stage. Get ready for an afternoon filled with the magic of both the silver screen and the cricket field!

     

     

    The highly anticipated movie “Animal” not only stars Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor but also boasts the powerhouse performances of veteran actors Anil Kapoor and Bobby Deol in pivotal titular roles. Actress Rashmika Mandanna is also a part of the ensemble as Ranbir Kapoor’s love interest, marking their first-time pairing in films. Promising to be a gripping action-drama, “Animal” is set to enthral audiences with its compelling storyline and powerhouse performances. The anticipation builds as the film gears up for a worldwide release on December 1st, spanning Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam languages. As the cricketing and cinematic worlds collide on the Cricket Live pre-show, fans can look forward to a mesmerizing blend of cricket, charisma, and the upcoming blockbuster.

    Catch all the action from the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Semi-Final 1–India vs New Zealand, 15 November 2023, from 12:00 pm onwards, LIVE & exclusive on the Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar.

  • Disney+ Hotstar hits 4.3 crore peak viewers in Cricket World Cup 2023

    Disney+ Hotstar hits 4.3 crore peak viewers in Cricket World Cup 2023

    Mumbai: Disney+ Hotstar achieved a ground-breaking milestone in the world of cricket streaming by recording a peak concurrency of 4.3 crore viewers during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 match between India and New Zealand on Oct 22, 2023. This represents the highest peak concurrency number achieved across all formats of cricket, breaking their own recent concurrency record of 3.5 crore viewers that was created during the India Vs. Pakistan match earlier in this tournament. Moreover, the epic on-ground cricket battle between India and New Zealand also crossed the earlier concurrency of 2.5 crore viewers, clocked during their clash at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 semi-finals.

    Commenting on this, Disney+ Hotstar India head Sajith Sivanandan said, “We want to thank our users who flocked to Disney+ Hotstar for the thrilling game between India vs New Zealand, and helped us reset the world record for concurrent viewers for a live streaming event. We served 4.3 crore concurrent viewers (43 Million) at its peak during the match – a historical high and easily surpassed the 3.5 crore number (35 Million) previously set for the India vs Pakistan match in the same tournament. As the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 enters its business end and as it grabs the attention of India increasingly, we will continue to strive towards bringing these memorable moments to our users’ screens.”

    Tune in to Disney+ Hotstar to watch the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 lice and free on mobile. The tournament will also be broadcast live on Star Sports Network 

  • Salman Khan urges fans to cheer for Team India on Star Sports ‘Cricket Live’

    Salman Khan urges fans to cheer for Team India on Star Sports ‘Cricket Live’

    Mumbai: As Team India aims to maintain an impeccable record and advance one step closer to securing a spot in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup semi-finals, they brace themselves for two crucial encounters. The first of these will be against Bangladesh in Pune, scheduled for Thursday, and the second, a highly anticipated showdown with New Zealand in Dharamshala on Sunday. To attract a new cohort of fans to watch cricket’s greatest spectacle, Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the marquee tournament, will play host to Bollywood superstar Salman Khan in the build-up to the matches on ‘Cricket Live’.  

     

     

    Salman Khan, an avid Team India fan, will join the program to share his deep-rooted love for the game. Everyone’s favourite ‘Bhai’ will not only discuss the emotions surrounding India matches but he will also offer a sneak peek into the thrill of both the cricketing world and his upcoming cinematic masterpiece, ‘Tiger 3’, an action thriller and an eagerly awaited sequel to ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’.

    Catch all the action from the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 –India vs Bangladesh, 19 October 2023, from 12:30 pm onwards, LIVE & exclusive on the Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar.

  • Akshay Kumar joins Star Sports ‘Cricket Live’ for India vs Australia ICC CWC 2023

    Akshay Kumar joins Star Sports ‘Cricket Live’ for India vs Australia ICC CWC 2023

    Mumbai: India is set to kick off their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 journey with an exhilarating match against the five-time champions, Australia, on the 8 of October 2023. With a colossal billion-strong fan base passionately rallying behind Team India in their quest to bring home the coveted trophy, Star Sports, the official broadcaster of this marquee tournament, has been at the forefront of galvanizing the entire nation in unwavering support of the team.

    To add an extra layer of excitement and fervor to the build-up for this epic clash between India and Australia, the highly acclaimed Bollywood sensation, Akshay Kumar, will be joining the ‘Cricket Live’ show. In a heartwarming video that has been making waves on the Star Sports social media platforms, Akshay Kumar conveys his steadfast support, echoing the sentiments of millions across the nation, and extends his heartfelt best wishes to Team India for a triumphant journey in the World Cup.

     

     

    Catch all the action from the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 –India vs Australia, 8 October 2023, Live & exclusively on the Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar