ZEE to launch new sports channel brand, Unite8 Sports
ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd has confirmed that it is set to launch a new portfolio of sports channels under the Unite8 Sports brand.
The four services — Unite8 Sports 1 and Unite8 Sports 1 HD in Hindi, along with Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD in English, are expected to go live in the coming weeks. The move marks the broadcaster’s return to sports broadcasting after previously stepping back from the category.
The company is also understood to be in discussions to secure the FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast rights for India. The rights remain unclaimed, leaving Indian audiences without a confirmed broadcaster for the tournament.
Unite8 Sports will showcase a wide range of programming, including football, kabaddi, cricket, badminton, wrestling, boxing and other combat sports. Zee has already submitted the necessary regulatory applications for the channel launches and has appointed Bavesh Janavlekar as Chief Business Officer for the new sports division.
Related to this
Commenting on the development, Janavlekar said: “In a vast country like India, there is rising demand for sports which are global in appeal yet rooted within the heartland. Sports consumption across the country is accelerating rapidly, driven by an increasing demand for live, appointment‑based content and rising audience affinity for multiple sporting formats.”
He added: “Building a robust presence in the linear ecosystem with four channels aligns with our broader strategy of diversifying the content portfolio and building scalable, value‑accretive businesses that capitalise on emerging growth opportunities.”
