Star Sports and Major League Baseball (MLB) today announced a multi-year broadcast agreement which will see Star Sports broadcast the games of 2020 and 2021 World Series live on Star Sports Select across India. Apart from the exclusive pay TV rights to the Fall Classic, Star Sports will broadcast new baseball content created specifically for Indian audiences on a weekly basis with the broadcast agreement including rights to regular season games in 2021.
MLB Weekly, MLB Extra, and MLB’s Best will run during the 2021 season which will be presented by Rohan Shrestha. MLB Weekly will educate, inform, and entertain new fans of the sport in India. It will bring the latest MLB action every week while educating new fans on all the teams, the brightest stars, and the basics of baseball.
“Star Sports is a sports broadcasting leader not only in India but throughout Asia,” said Dominick Balsamo, MLB Senior Vice President, Global Media. “As we continue to develop the sport and work to grow MLB fandom in India, there is no better partner than Star Sports to showcase the athleticism, intensity and drama that will be on display at the World Series.”
MLB Extra will feature extended highlights of three select games from previous week which will enlighten fans about the players to watch out for and what the landscape of the league looks like while MLB Best will offer a countdown of the week’s best plays.
“We are excited to have baseball in our bouquet of international sports. The live telecast of World Series is a great opportunity for us to present this dynamic sport to the discerning premium audience of Star Sports SELECT.”
Star Sports Spokesperson
MLB is looking to grow baseball in India through media partnerships and grassroot initiatives with its first Indian office opened in 2019 in New Delhi to help grow the game across the country. Million Dollar Arm will return in 2021 which saw thousands of participants compete to earn a tryout with a Major League team.
MLB is also introducing a grassroots program across New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai in 300 schools to create first opportunity for students to learn and enjoy the sport through workshops conducted by MLB international coaches.
