HYDERABAD: Star India Wednesday announced the launch of its third regional sports channel – Star Sports 1 Telugu.
The network confirmed that Star Sports 1 Telugu will go live on Friday, 7th December, and will be available on leading DTH and Cable Operators across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as well as the rest of India.
The sportscaster has been testing the channel on AsiaSat 7 at 105 East.
Also on the launch agenda is Star Sports 1 Kannada, which is scheduled to start beaming into Indian homes anytime before 31st December, as per the declaration made by the network last month.
Star Sports 1 Telugu will offer multiple sporting events in Telugu, starting with the VIVO Pro Kabaddi League. Providing live and non-live content, Star Sports 1 Telugu will have on board experts, commentators and players catering to Telugu speaking sports audiences.
Telugu superstar Rana Daggubati, the ambassador for VIVO Pro Kabaddi in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, features in the new TVC created around the launch, where he compares sports to action packed cinema. He draws parallels on the similarities between sports and cinema, emphasizing on the ability each of them possess to capture audience attention always.
Speaking at the launch, a Star Sports spokesperson said: “Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are unique markets with a substantial demand for specific language content and have distinct viewing habits, this has helped us at Star Sports understand the pulse of the Telugu sports fan. Star Sports 1 Telugu is a unique product offering catering to core Telugu sports fans in the region and outside. With the launch of Star Sports 1 Telugu, we are exemplifying our endeavor of providing relevant regional sports content to fans across the country. We are committed to constantly strengthen our portfolio across markets, with the growing number of diverse requirements, Star Sports 1 Telugu launch is a key milestone in that journey to curate a compelling offering for fans across regions.”
On the caravan moving to Andhra Pradesh, Anupam Goswami, League commissioner, VIVO Pro Kabaddi league, said: “The initiative with Star Sports 1 Telugu exemplifies the value created by Star India for sports in the country, with its belief and commitment to take it deep into the lives of fans across India in their own language. VIVO Pro Kabaddi has been a big gainer owing to the role created by the broadcaster; the launch of Star Sports 1 Telugu will deepen the great following that the League has in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.”
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have been markets where the consumption of sports has been high. The region has embraced several teams, VIVO IPL – Sunrisers Hyderabad, PBL – Hyderabad Hunters, VIVO PKL – Telugu Titans.
Star Sports 1 Telugu will feature live and non-live content packaged into a line-up with distinguished Telugu hosts and commentators from the sports fraternity including, Venkatpathy Raju, Venkatesh, Kalyan Krishna and Kaushik Nallan Chakravarthy for Cricket and Madhavi Bhandari, Radhika Reddy and Kalyan Kollaram for Kabaddi.
Fans can catch the VIVO Pro Kabaddi action LIVE, 7:30 pm onwards, on Star Sports 1 Telugu, the Star Sports Network and Hotstar. Fans can also watch the match live at Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Vizag, starting 7th December onwards.
Related Report
Star sets date for Telugu sports channel launch
