By Paul Osborne

The FIH and Star India have signed an eight year strategic partnership deal ©India Today Group/Getty ImagesJanuary 21 - The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has signed an eight year strategic partnership deal with STAR India as the world governing body looks to improve extend the sport's reach across by improving the quality of its broadcast production. 


Under the agreement, STAR Sports, India's leading sport's network, and owned by STAR India, will broadcast key FIH events both in India and throughout the world from January 2015 to December 2022.

Having acquired all global media rights across the world, excluding Argentina, STAR Sports is responsible for providing consistent, high quality production to more than 200 countries in the FIH's bid to, in the words of chief executive Kelly Fairweather,  "take our sport to the next level."

"Our partnership with STAR Sports is a major stride forward for hockey, and one that I am personally very excited about," added Fairweather.

"I consider it to be a game changer both for the sport of hockey and for the millions of fans who will watch FIH events on television and on the internet all around the world.

"STAR Sports share our determination to raise the bar in terms of the production values and the viewer experience in a rapidly changing multi-screen environment.

"Their know-how will be hugely beneficial, and we look forward to working with them to ensure that our incredible sport is presented to the world in the best possible way."

FIH chief executive Kelly Fairweather told insidethegames that the deal will "revolutionise the way that hockey is presented and perceived" ©Hindustan Times/Getty ImagesFIH chief executive Kelly Fairweather told insidethegames that the deal will "revolutionise the way that hockey is presented and perceived" ©Hindustan Times/Getty Images



In an interview with insidethegames, Fairweather explained how the deal will "revolutionise the way that hockey is presented and perceived" by building on the success of the Hockey India League.

In its production of the Hockey India League, STAR Sport's uses 18 cameras, more than double used in standard hockey games, to provide an enhanced experience for its fans with features such as slow motion and ultra motion given an extra dimension to the viewer.

As part of the deal, all FIH will be broadcast in high definition with Fairweather hoping to introduce a number of other features to "bring fans closer to the sport".

"We are really looking forward to sitting down with STAR to plan hockey's on-screen future," he said.

"We will explore the use of on-screen graphics, split screens, different cameras and new angles - wouldn't it be great to see the game from a player's perspective for instance?

"The introduction of heart rate monitors on goalkeepers coupled with keeper cams is something we would love to see.

"Our focus will be on youth appeal and accessibility to newcomers whilst retaining and pleasing our dedicated fan base."

Fairweather explained that the deal was part of the FIH's drive to see hockey coverage available across the world, believing that "when people have a good experience of watching hockey they will also be inspired to play."

The FIH are hoping production will build on the success of Star Sport's coverage of the Hockey India League which was broadcast in 146 countries worldwide ©Hindustan Times/Getty ImagesThe FIH are hoping production will build on the success of STAR Sport's coverage of the Hockey India League, which was broadcast in 146 countries worldwide
©Hindustan Times/Getty Images



Under the new agreement, India will now host one key FIH event each year with 2014 seeing the 35th edition of the Men's Champions Trophy being held in Bhubaneswar, as well as the World League Final which took place in New Delhi earlier this month.

"We are delighted to be FIH's global production, host broadcast and distribution partner," said Nitin Kukreja, head of sports business at STAR India.

"The partnership ties-in well with our overall vision of promoting sports culture in India.

"Hockey is a priority sport for us and we are thrilled that India will host one key event every year during the eight year term.

"We believe that hosting an international event each year, which is produced innovatively, will significantly boost the popularity of hockey in India.

"The sport has a glorious heritage in India and we believe that it has a tremendous future.

"We will work closely with FIH and invest in production to ensure that hockey reaches its full potential.

"As we have done with HIL, we will aim to innovate and create an exciting visual spectacle for international viewers."

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