Star Sports and Hockey India extend partnership

Star Sports will telecast Hockey India League and all Hockey India International matches to be held in India between 2016 and 2018.

Star Sports and Hockey India have finalised the extension of the telecast rights for Hockey India League and all International Hockey matches hosted by Hockey India, in India, for a period of three years. Star Sports and Hockey India had joined hands in 2012 for an initial period of three years to promote the sport. With the extension, the partnership will be valid from 2016 to 2018.

Uday Shankar, CEO, Star India, says, "The decision to continue our association with Hockey India is in line with our commitment towards development of a multi-sports culture in India. Over the last year, the national team has performed phenomenally well, winning medals and accolades across the world, making the country proud. We believe in the potential of hockey as a sport and through our association with Hockey India, will work towards popularising the sport and bring the fans back to hockey. This association signals our commitment towards this transformation through world-class production of all International matches and the vibrant Hockey India League."

The agreement follows the announcement that Star Sports will be the global broadcast partner for the International Hockey Federation for the next eight years, starting from January 2015. With the extension to the agreement, Star Sports will also be the host broadcaster of Hockey India League (in India and globally) and the Hockey India International matches (in India and globally) for the period 2016 - 2018.

Speaking on the announcement, Narinder Dhruv Batra, president, Hockey India, says, "Star Sports is known for its strong content and production quality. They understand the target audience's pulse and they package the entire show accordingly. They are known for creating a complete experience for each tournament and that's what makes them stand out. We have seen this in our association with them since the inception of the Hockey India League as well as the International tournaments that they have hosted in the past. Keeping this in mind, they are the ideal choice, and we are happy that we have mutually agreed to continue this association for the next three years."