ESPN-STAR Sports launches India’s first 24x7 HD sports channels

ESPN-STAR Sports (ESS) has announced the launch of ESPN HD and Star Cricket HD, touted as India’s first 24x7 High Definition sports channels. With the introduction of the two new channels, ESS has expanded its bouquet to five channels in India – ESPN, Star Cricket, Star Sports, ESPN HD and Star Cricket HD.

ESPN HD and Star Cricket HD will showcase the sports action in High Definition from ESPN-STAR Sports’ line-up of premier international sporting events, including cricket, soccer, tennis, golf and motor sports among others. India’s cricket tour of England, starting July 21, will be the first premier event to be showcased live on Star Cricket HD to be followed by other events such as the Champions LeagueT20 and India’s tour of Australia. ESPN HD will showcase F1 action from the Hungarian Grand Prix, GP2 Series and other events such as the US Senior Open Golf and Major League Baseball in the month of July, to be followed next month with the start of the highly anticipated 2011-12 season of the Barclays Premier League.

Commenting on the development, Manu Sawhney, Managing Director, ESPN STAR Sports, said, “It continues to be our aim to enhance the experience of sports fans. The launch of ESPN HD and 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 line-up 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 splendour than High Definition given the broader aspect ratio, higher resolution and enhanced audio that allows sport events to be broadcast in their full glory.”

Speaking on the strategic importance of the launch of HD networks, 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 24x7 High Definition sports networks, Indian sports fans can look forward to a completely new way of enjoying sports.”

ESPN HD and Star Cricket HD will be available on Videocon D2H platforms and Star Cricket HD will be available on TataSky with immediate effect.

Across the Asian region, ESPN STAR Sports now has 25 networks covering 24 countries and reaching out to over 300 million sports fans.