FIH strikes broadcast deal with Star Sports, ends association with Ten Sports

In what could be more good news for Indian hockey fans after the success of the recently-concluded 2^nd Hero Hockey India League, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has inked an eight-year broadcast deal with Star Sports. The long-term deal with Asia’s biggest sports broadcaster means Star Sports will broadcast all FIH-conducted events starting from 2015.

The deal ensures hockey fans can watch live action of premier events like the World Cup, Champions Trophy, Hockey World League, Junior World Cup among others. Significantly, the top-notch broadcaster will beam live action of FIH-organised events across the globe save for Argentina where the world governing body has an existing arrangement. Under the terms of the deal, Star Sports will also enjoy internet, marketing and digital rights of all FIH-sanctioned events.

It may be worth recalling that FIH had a long-standing association with Ten Sports. The world hockey body started its association with Ten Sports in 2005 with a broadcast contract, which was extended in November 2011 for another three years till 2014-end.

The 2014 Rabobank Men’s Hockey World Cup as well as the 2014 men’s and women’s Champions Trophy slated to be in Argentina (Mendoza) and India (Bhubaneshwar) in November and December, will be the high-profile events that Ten Sports will broadcast live this year before the broadcasting baton is handed over to Star Sports from 2015.