Star India signs 8-year hockey broadcast rights deal

Star India has agreed an 8-year deal with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to broadcast and extend hockey�۪s reach worldwide. The strategic deal will also look to improve the production of international hockey broadcasts.

Star Sports will be the host broadcaster for key FIH events both in India and throughout the world and will be responsible for ensuring consistent and high level production.

As part of the deal, Star Sports has acquired global media rights for all territories, excluding Argentina. Through its network of international affiliates and other national broadcasters, content will be distributed to over 200 countries, reaching billions of sports fans taking hockey�۪s global viewing audience to unprecedented levels.

Nitin Kukreja, Head of Sports Business, Star India, said: ���We are delighted to be FIH�۪s global production, host broadcast and distribution partner. The partnership ties-in well with our overall vision of promoting sports culture in India. Hockey is a priority sport for us and we are thrilled that India will host one key event every year during the eight year term. We believe that hosting an international event each year, which is produced innovatively, will significantly boost the popularity of hockey in India. The sport has a glorious heritage in India and we believe that it has a tremendous future. We will work closely with FIH and invest in production to ensure that hockey reaches its full potential. As we have done with HIL, we will aim to innovate and create an exciting visual spectacle for international viewers.�۝

The deal will run from January 2015 to December 2022.