• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 12, 2025

World Series, Original MLB Content to Air Across India in New Deal

  • MLB and Star Sports India have a new multi-year content deal.
  • Reality TV contest ‘Million Dollar Arm’ will return in 2021.
World Series, Original MLB Content to Air Across India in New Deal
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

MLB is looking to grow its popularity in India with a new media rights deal. The league has struck a deal with Star Sports India to broadcast every game of the 2020 and 2021 World Series live across the country; it also includes rights to regular season games in 2021. 

Under the deal, which makes Star Sports the exclusive pay TV home of the World Series in India, the network will also air weekly original baseball content “created specifically for Indian audiences,” including three shows: “MLB Weekly,” “MLB Extra,” and “MLB’s Best.”

According to an announcement, “MLB Weekly” is intended to  “educate, inform and entertain new fans of the sport in India” and is presented by influential Indian photographer Rohan Shrestha. ”MLB Extra” will feature extended highlights from three select games from each previous week; Shrestha will introduce each game, pointing out which players to watch and how they fit into the league’s broader landscape.

“MLB’s Best” — touted as “a program for more avid MLB fans” — will offer a countdown of the week’s best plays.

“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 Senior Vice President, Global Media Dominick Balsamo said. 

MLB has been working to grow baseball in India for years. The league opened its first Indian office in 2019 and has introduced the grassroots program “MLB First Pitch” in about 300 primary schools across New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai. Leading Indian sports management, development and marketing agency India On Track is also partnering with MLB to “expand and market” the MLB First Pitch Program. 

“Million Dollar Arm,” the reality TV contest organized by agent J.B. Bernstein where participants compete to earn a tryout with an MLB team, will also return in 2021. 

With the Star Sports agreement, the 2020 World Series will be broadcast across 220 countries and territories by 75 media partners in 15 languages, the league said.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Jeff Kaplan

Letting PE Invest in Family-Owned Teams Is a ‘Watershed’

Liquidity gives owners greater flexibility to manage salary cap.

All-Star Game Returns to Atlanta With Big Plans After 2021 Exit

The league’s jewel event is set to be a global showcase for The Battery.
Bruce Meyer and Tony Clark of the MLBPA

MLB, Players’ Union Spar Over Salary Cap As Labor Fight Looms

The MLB Players Association’s No. 2 executive outlines what he sees owners doing.

Featured Today

Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive
July 8, 2025

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Iga Swiatek of Poland at her on court interview after winning her match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
July 10, 2025

Wimbledon Set to Deliver Strong Finals Matchup for ESPN

Novak Djokovic is still in the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Feb 7, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies center Tarris Reed Jr. (5) reacts after his basket against the St. John's Red Storm in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.
July 8, 2025

After Decade Apart, ESPN and Big East Rekindle Media Rights Relationship

After a decade-plus apart, the network will stream hundreds of conference events.
Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Mexico forward Marcel Ruiz (14) heads the ball in front of United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson (11) in the second half during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium.
July 7, 2025

USMNT Struggles Still Produce Big Gold Cup Ratings for Fox

The U.S. team’s recent issues culminated in a loss to Mexico.
July 2, 2025

Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger

The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.
Leo Messi
June 27, 2025

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.