Prasar Bharati and Hockey India Sign MoU for HIL 2024-25 Broadcast

The country's national broadcaster, Prasar Bharati, has now signed through the Memorandum of Understanding to become the official broadcast partner for Hockey India League for the next 2024-25 season. The signing event took place at the function where Abhishek Agarwal, deputy director general sports, Prasar Bharati, signed the MoU with general secretary Hockey Bhola Nath Singh.

The signing ceremony contained Navneet Sehgal, Chairman of Prasar Bharati, Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO of Prasar Bharati, Ashok Tanden, member of Prasar Bharati Board, and Hockey India treasurer Sekar J Manoharan.

The Women's Hockey India League will be held for the very first time along with the men's upcoming Hockey India League, starting December 28, 2024. The competitions are to be telecast live on Doordarshan and Prasar Bharati's OTT platform, Waves.

Speaking at the ceremony, Navneet Sehgal, chairman of Prasar Bharati, highlighted the significance of this partnership and stated, “This is a proud moment for hockey, a sport that has captured the hearts of millions of Indians, and for Prasar Bharati, as we come together to bring the Hockey India League to every corner of the country. Our goal is to showcase this prestigious league to households across India, including remote towns and villages where future hockey stars are emerging. With Doordarshan’s extensive reach and our OTT platform, Waves, we will ensure that the Hockey India League becomes a national celebration, inspiring a deeper connection between the sport and its fans. Together, we aim to elevate hockey’s prominence and turn it into a true festival for the entire nation.”

Emphasizing the importance of this partnership, Abhishek Agarwal, deputy director general of sports, Prasar Bharati, added, “With back-to-back Olympic medals, Indian hockey has reignited a deep passion among sports enthusiasts. Through this partnership, Doordarshan is proud to support the continued revival of Indian hockey by delivering world-class coverage of the Hockey India League. Our goal is to ensure that fans across India and beyond can experience the excitement of both the men’s and women’s leagues. By broadcasting on DD Sports and the Waves platform, we are making the league more accessible than ever, giving it the exposure and visibility that a sport of such rich heritage deserves.”

Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh also expressed his excitement and noted, “The upcoming season of the Hockey India League is historic, with the debut of the Women’s Hockey India League alongside the men’s competition. Doordarshan’s unparalleled reach will allow us to bring the excitement of hockey to homes across India, connecting fans from every region to their favourite sport. We are grateful to Prasar Bharati for their vital role in making this possible and for being such an integral part of this important moment in the world of hockey. This partnership marks a significant step toward growing the sport further and ensuring that hockey continues to thrive and inspire across the nation.”

This year’s Hockey India League will witness the participation of 8 men's teams along with 4 women's teams, competing across Rourkela and Ranchi, showcasing the best talent of India and across the world. Apart from live coverage of matches, the content will be available in several languages with exclusive behind-the-scenes shots that provide a more engaging experience to viewers.