The Indian Badminton League (IBL), which will be held from 14-31 August, will be broadcast live on STAR Sports channels STAR Sports2 and ESPN channels.
All the 150 shutters in 90 matches, including 10 games of semi-finals and five ties during the final, will be shown live on these STAR Sports channels.
"We strongly believe that Indian fans would love to consume non-cricket sports as well if the product is packaged well, communicated and presented in an interesting manner," chief operating officer of ESPN Software India Vijay Rajput told PTI.
"The IBL fits in well with our overall strategy. It is a unique concept and has the potential of attracting a large fan base for badminton across the country given the presence of the best of national and international talent."
The IBL, which will have the playing vying for a $1 million purse, is projected as a 'growth path' for Indian badminton stars, for they will be exposed to top players from around the world on a single platform.
Speaking on anointing STAR Sports as the host broadcaster, Sporty Solutionz (the commercial partner of IBL) CEO Ashish Chadha said, "It's a smashing platform for IBL and badminton as a sport to be telecast LIVE on one of the biggest broadcasters in the world of sport. I congratulate STAR Sports on this association."
The initiative by Badminton Association of India (BAI) has six franchisee teams - Mumbai Masters, Delhi Smashers, Awadhe Warriors, Hyderabad Hotshots, Banga Beats and Pune Pistons.
BAI President Akhilesh Das Gupta welcomed STAR Sports in the IBL fraternity, "I'm confident that the LIVE telecast of IBL on STAR Sports2 and ESPN will take quality badminton action to millions of homes in India and further boost the game of badminton," he told the news agency.
Soon after the World Championships in Guangzhou, China, held from 5-11 August, the IBL will begin. Krrish Delhi Smashers and Pune Pistons will play the first and inaugural match of the IBL in Delhi.
Click here for match and time schedule.
