ESPN STAR Sports Brings Two New Channels to India

NEW DELHI: Expanding its bouquet of offerings in India, ESPN STAR Sports has launched the 24-hour HD channels ESPN HD and STAR Cricket HD.

The services launched today, with both channels available on Videocon d2h and STAR Cricket HD securing further carriage on Tata Sky platforms. STAR Cricket HD is set to showcase live coverage of India’s cricket tour of England starting July 21. Other events such as the Champions LeagueT20 and India’s tour of Australia are set to follow. ESPN HD will offer F1 coverage from the Hungarian Grand Prix, GP2 Series and other events such as the U.S. Senior Open Golf and Major League Baseball throughout July. Next month, the service will start its coverage of the 2011-12 season of the Barclays Premier League.

The two new channels join ESPN STAR Sports’ existing services in India, ESPN, STAR Cricket and STAR Sports.

Manu Sawhney, the managing director for ESPN STAR Sports, said, “It continues to be our aim to enhance the experience of sports fans. The launch of ESPN HD & STAR Cricket HD is yet another milestone in sports broadcasting and demonstrates our commitment to continue serving the fans by offering them the most enriching and engaging experience with the finest lineup of sports content in unparalleled image and sound quality. Fans want to be up close to the action and there’s no better way to experience the splendor than high definition given the broader aspect ratio, higher resolution and enhanced audio that allows sport events to be broadcast in their full glory.”
 
Sawhney added, “We see huge potential for the HD channels in India and have received a very positive and encouraging response from advertisers and platform operators as we continue to set new industry benchmarks. We have a very exciting calendar of events ahead of us and with the launch of these two 24×7 high-definition sports networks, Indian sports fans can look forward to a completely new way of enjoying sports.”

Anil Khera, the CEO of Videocon d2h, commented, “We are proud to partner with ESPN STAR SPORTS to have their HD Channels on our DTH platform. Both groups have the common objective of bringing enhanced viewing experience to its consumers. Our association with this group has been very successful, and with ESPN HD & STAR Cricket HD on board it will be strengthened further. Our subscribers can now look forward to the upcoming cricket tour of India in England. Now watching sports on Videocon d2h will be truly breathtaking.”
 
Harit Nagpal, the managing director and CEO of Tata Sky, said, “After pioneering the launch of true HD, Tata Sky is happy to partner with ESPN STAR Sports to add one of the best sports channels focusing on our national passion, STAR Cricket HD on our platform. The new channel will be part of the HD Gold pack and also made available on an a-la-carte basis.”