New Delhi: The Indian Badminton League (IBL) announced STAR Sports channels as the Host Broadcaster for the IBL 2013. All the 90 matches, including 75 league matches, 10 matches in the semifinals and 5 matches in the final will be shown live on STAR Sports2 and ESPN channels.
The USD$1-million IBL which features six franchisee-based city teams kicks off from August 14, 2013. The six teams participating in the inaugural edition of the richest prize-money badminton tournament in the world are: Mumbai Masters, Delhi Smashers, Awadhe Warriors, Hyderabad Hotshots, Banga Beats and Pune Pistons.
Commenting on this association, Vijay Rajput, Chief Operating Officer, ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd, said, “We see a lot of value and scope for niche sports in the country. In fact, we have been making strong strides towards developing a multi-sport content portfolio on our network of channels. We strongly believe that Indian fans would love to consume non-cricket sports as well if the product is packaged well, communicated and presented in an interesting manner.
“The IBL fits in well with our overall strategy. It is a unique concept and has the potential of attracting a large fan base for badminton across the country given the presence of the best of national and international talent.”
Speaking on this occasion, Ashish Chadha, CEO, Sporty Solutionz, the Commercial Partner of IBL, said, “It’s a smashing platform for IBL and badminton as a sport to be telecast LIVE on one of the biggest broadcasters in the world of sport. The association will seek to introduce many landmarks for badminton viewers through use of modern technology. I congratulate STAR Sports on this association.”
Speaking on this association, Dr Akhilesh Das Gupta, Badminton Association of India President& MP, said, “We welcome STAR Sports into the IBL fraternity and I’m confident that the LIVE telecast of IBL on STAR Sports2 and ESPN will take quality badminton action to millions of homes in India and further boost the game of badminton.”
The IBL is set to launch on August 14, 2013, with some high-voltage action expected between Krrish Delhi Smashers and Pune Pistons. The 2013 IBL will feature six franchises and will run for 18 days. Each franchise will host a two-day leg and the League will showcase a grand total of 90 matches, providing broadcasters and in-stadia spectators with more than 100 hours of LIVE “family entertainment” which will also be viewed by a significant international audience. The matches will be held during late afternoon and evening to coincide with prime time television and providing a convenient time for the stadium audience. The LIVE IN-stadia entertainment, combined with high-octane on-court action is expected to further hook viewers onto this new adrenalin packed LIVE family entertainment format attracting a much younger fan base, which also includes women and children.
The top four franchises in the League will clash in the semifinals and the winners will meet in the grand final on August 31, which will be played out in Mumbai, for the richest prize money tournament in badminton till now.
