ESPN STAR Sports secures HIL syndication partners

ESPN STAR Sports, the official broadcaster of Hero Hockey India League, announced today a comprehensive line-up of global syndication partners that are showcasing the tournament in more than 83 territories worldwide. The inaugural edition of the league is being broadcast with Hindi commentary on STAR Sports while STAR Cricket is showcasing select matches of the league in English. Live streaming of all the matches is also available on www.youtube.com/thehockeyindialeague.

Some of the leading names in the world of sports broadcasting like Fox Sports from Australia, Sky Sports from New Zealand, Ten Sports in Pakistan and SE Asia and MENA region are showcasing live coverage of HHIL in respective territories.

Speaking on the occasion, Aloke Malik, Managing Director, ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd, said, “These partnerships reinforce our commitment to set new benchmarks in the distribution of Hero Hockey India League. We look forward to working closely with all our partners and serve hockey fans all over the world with some mouth-watering high quality content.”

Dr. Narinder Batra, Chairman, Hero Hockey India League, said, “We are delighted to have a strong and committed broadcast partner. It is great to know that the first edition of the league can be seen by hockey fans across the world. We are confident that the popularity of the league and the game of Hockey per se, will greatly benefit from these international distribution tie-ups.”

List of syndication partners include

Successes of HHIL

• HHIL’s broadcast in India, at the end of week 2, has been seen by 2.27 crore hockey fans way ahead of full tournament reach of UEFA EURO 2012 which stood at 2.04 crore individuals.
• HHIL’s reach is considerably higher than World Series Hockey’s reach which stood at 1.24 crore individuals at the end of week II.
• Even on digital front, HHIL has achieved considerable success. Hero Hockey India League’s Facebook page has attracted more than 410,000 fans making it world’s largest field hockey Facebook page.
• On Twitter, HHIL has trended multiple times not just in India but also in countries like the USA.

As official broadcaster of HHIL, STAR Sports is showcasing hockey in a completely new avatar offering a TV experience relevant to India’s young sports audience. The channel also has HD production supported by new camera angles for sharper imagery to sustain viewer interest through the league.

For providing viewers with a sharp, incisive and engaging view of the game both in Hindi and English language, STAR Sports has put in place an illustrious panel of experts comprising former hockey players who are doing commentary on live telecast as well as pre and post-match analysis throughout the league. The Hindi commentary panel includes eminent former Indian Hockey players like Mir Ranjan Negi, Jugraj Singh, Deepak Thakur, Mohammed Shahid and Pargat Singh. The English commentary panel comprises of Viren Rasquinha, Cedric D’Souza, AB Subbaiah and Sandeep Somesh.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) sanctioned ‘Hero Hockey India League’ is a truly global league with players from as many as 11 countries. The first edition has witnessed participation from 5 teams namely Uttar Pradesh Wizards, Jaypee Punjab Warriors, Delhi Waveriders, Mumbai Magicians and Ranchi Rhinos.