MLB Partners With Star Sports In New Media Rights Deal
Major League Baseball is making a move to increase its popularity in India through a new media rights deal. The deal with Star Sports India allows the live broadcast of every game of the 2020 and 2021 World series and includes the rights to regular-season games in 2021.
Thus, the 2020 World Series pitting the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Tampa Bay Rays is being broadcast by Star Sports in 220 countries and territories by 75 various media partners in 15 languages. Game 6 is scheduled for 8:08 EST tomorrow and Game 7 for Wednesday at 8:09 EST tomorrow.
“Star Sports is a sports broadcasting leader not only in India but throughout Asia,” stated Dominick Balsamo, MLB Senior Vice President, Global Media. “As we continue to develop the sport and work to grow MLB fandom in India, there is no better partner than Star Sports to showcase the athleticism, intensity and drama that will be on display at the World Series.”
The deal makes Star Sports the exclusive pay television network for the World Series in India. Beginning in 2021, the agreement allows the airing of weekly baseball content created specifically for the Indian audience, which includes: MLB’s Weekly, MLB’s Extra, and MLB’s Best.
MLB Weekly’s focus is to “educate, inform and entertain new fans of the sport in India” and will be presented by Rohan Shrestha, an influential Indian photographer.
And MLB Extra will feature extended highlights from three different games from the previous week. Shrestha will introduce each game and point out which players to watch and explain how they fit into the league’s greater landscape.
MLB’s Best is designed to cater to the more avid MLB fans offering them a countdown of the week’s top plays.
MLB has been focused on baseball growth in India for several years, opening its first office in 2019. Their initial grassroots program, MLB’s First Pitch was introduced in around 300 primary schools in Bangalore, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
Additionally, India on track, India’s top sports management, development and, marketing agency is forming a partnership with the MLB to both “expand and market” the First Pitch Program.
Lastly, J.B. Bernstein’s reality TV content, Million Dollar Arm, which is based on the 2014 movie gives participants the opportunity to compete to earn a tryout with an MLB team, will return in 2021.
“We are excited to have baseball in our bouquet of international sports. The live telecast of World Series is a great opportunity for us to present this dynamic sport to the discerning premium audience of Star Sports SELECT,” stated Star Sports Spokesperson.
The partnership with Star Sports is vital to the growth of the game in India. India has a great interest in MLB and gives them access to the World Series, but games in 2021, coupled with the various programs, should undoubtedly further the growth imitative.
