E1 agrees Disney Star broadcast deal in India

E1, the electric powerboat championship debuting this year, has signed a media rights deal with Disney Star in India.

Contract:

• Championship to air on Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar
• E1 adds Kuaishou and Yang Shi Pin streaming platforms to Chinese media rights deal
• Additional contracts agreed with Sky Italia, Direct TV (LATAM), and the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union

Context:
E1 is looking to capitalise on the popularity of Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli, who is one of a swathe of sports stars to sign on as a team owner in the series. Disney Star grants E1 access to the largest sports market in the world.

Disney and Reliance Industries reportedly entered into a non-binding agreement to merge their Indian broadcast operations earlier this year.

Comment:
Rupert Hunter, chief commercial officer of E1, said: “With Team Blue Rising and Virat already involved with the E1 family, it is of huge significance to have secured Star Sports as our broadcast partner in South Asia for our debut Championship season.

“We’re delighted to be able to work collaboratively with such an influential media giant, and believe that together we will cultivate a new fanbase across the sub-continent by introducing the unique spectacle of E1 to sports fans throughout the region.”

Coming next:
The inaugural E1 season gets underway in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 2nd and 3rd February. BlackBook Motorsport