JioStar, a collaboration between Reliance Industries, Disney, and Bodhi Tree, is set for a major transformation in its sports broadcasting division ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. According to The Economic Times, the company is launching multiple regional sports channels in Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD) formats as part of its expansion and rebranding strategy.
Under this initiative, the Sports18 brand will be phased out, making way for the renowned Star Sports identity. Five existing Sports18 channels will be renamed, reinforcing Star Sports’ dominance in India’s sports broadcasting sector. Sports18 1 will transition into Star Sports 2 Hindi, while Sports18 2 and Sports18 3 will become Star Sports 2 Telugu and Star Sports 2 Tamil, respectively.
Additionally, Sports18 Khel will be rebranded as Star Sports Khel, continuing to offer diverse sports content. HD versions, including Star Sports 2 Hindi HD, Star Sports 2 Telugu HD, and Star Sports 2 Tamil HD, will be introduced on March 15, 2025, aiming at premium audiences. Star Sports 2 Hindi HD will take over the current Sports18 1 HD channel.
JioStar’s revamped sports lineup will now feature 24 SD and HD channels across various languages. Simultaneously, the company is shifting Colors Rishtey and Star Utsav to free-to-air (FTA) platforms, expanding its FTA network to six channels.
As part of this restructuring, JioStar will discontinue nine channels, including Comedy Central, Vh1, MTV Beats, Bindass, Colors Odia, and Star Kiran HD. Post-revamp, JioStar will oversee 130 pay and FTA channels, alongside 83 broadcaster packs, including a dedicated six-channel FTA pack.
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