Star Sports to put international & non-cricket content on Select HD channels from Oct 31

Star Sports is set to launch two premium high-definition (HD) sports channels, Star Sports Select HD1 and Star Sports Select HD2, which will showcase international sporting properties like the English Premier League (EPL), Bundesliga, F1, Wimbledon and French Open. The new channels will most likely be launched in the first week of August ( likely to be on 5th August).

The significant thing about the move is that the two channels will remain the exclusive home for international sporting events. The international events will be available on the existing SD and HD channels till 31 October after they will be exclusively aired on the two new channels. 

The four standard-definition (SD) channels and their mirror HD channels will air cricket (ICC, BCCI, Cricket Australia and England Cricket Board) and local sporting leagues like the Pro Kabaddi League, Indian Super League, Hockey India League and Premier Badminton League, among others. 

A tiered sports offering will help Star India to lift its subscription revenues up. Broadcasters realise that subscription revenue is the key to the growth and profitability of the sports business in India. 

Advertising revenue on cricketing and traditionally established properties has saturated to a certain extent and organic growth will be less brisk. According to market estimates, subscription income from the Star Sports & Ten Sports together is estimated at around Rs 1,400 crore (Rs 14 billion) a year. Star is also planning to put its international properties behind the pay wall on its video streaming service Hotstar.

Pro Kabaddi season 2 to kick off on July 18

Pro Kabaddi League, which was a success in 2014, will be back with its second season on 18 July, 2015 with the opening leg to be held at National Sports Club of India (NSCI) in Mumbai.

The opening game will pit the two finalists of last year, U Mumba take on reigning Champions Jaipur Pink Panthers.

The league promoted by Mashal Sports and Star India with the backing of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India and International Kabaddi Federation, will feature 60 games played across 37 days in 8 cities.

Zee Group to enter sports biz with focus on cricket

Essel Group has rubbished media reports stating that the Subhash Chandra owned company was registering entity with names that appear to be rival national cricket boards. The company says it is excited to enter the sports business at a global level, focusing on Cricket.

In an official statement released on Monday, the company said according to its research, there was an immense opportunity to make Cricket a global sport.

Is Subhash Chandra going to challenge ICC this time?

In the times when Star has been on a buying spree Zee owned Ten Sports has kept their purses tight. It almost look like a complete knock out by Star. 

But wait, if media reports are to be believed Subhash Chandra is planning a return to the cricket pitch with Lalit Modi.  Reacting to these media reports Lalit Modi tweeted

I wish @_SubhashChandra all the best in this new venture. I have nothing to do with it. But we need a rival body - http://t.co/TShcsySVXX
— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) April 27, 2015

It's game over for Champions League T20

It is curtains down for the Champions League Twenty20. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has virtually decided to scrap the tournament – which was once seen as the UEFA Champions League of cricket.

At the working committee meeting of richest cricket board (and CLT20 stakeholder) BCCI in Kolkata on Sunday, the BCCI decided to call a meeting of the Champions League T20 Governing Council and put a stamp on the decision.

It's Kabaddi time for Star - buys 74% stake in Pro Kabaddi

Star has acquired 74 per cent stake in Pro Kabaddi League. The value of the deal is not known. Star, which is the official broadcaster of the league, will now have control over the entire league as a majority owner of Mashal Sports.

This is the second time Star has got itself involved in the league directly. Earlier, it had formed a joint venture (JV) with IMG Reliance to start the Indian Super League (ISL), with 40% stake in franchise-based football league- ISL.