Kannadigas in India can now watch their favourite sports in their mother-tongue. India’s leading sports broadcaster Star Sports has launched Star Sports 1 Kannada, making it India’s first dedicated Kannada sports channel. This comes months after Star Sports launched India’s first Telugu sports channel - Star Sports 1 Telugu - paving the way for more regional sports channels after the successful launch of Star Sports 1 Tamil in 2017.
Celebrating the spirit of the Kannadiga culture is at the heart of the launch of Star Sports 1 Kannada, an official release from Star Sports stated. “Karnataka as a region has shown very distinctive viewing habits and an affinity to differentiated language content. This has enabled Star Sports to create a unique, engaging and most importantly, viewer-centric offering for the southern state,” it added.
Star Sports 1 Kannada, with its rich line-up of sports properties, will help bring Kannadiga sports fans closer to their favourite sports.
A Star India spokesperson said, “Sports is more engaging, enjoyable and thrilling when it is watched in a language one speaks. Our strong presence in Karnataka has helped us understand how Kannadiga sports fans like to consume sports content. Kannadigas possess an inherent sporting quality of resilience and an undying desire to always win. Star Sports 1 Kannada, with its extensive line-up of popular sports content, is a resolute step towards bringing these Kannadiga fans closer to their favourite games and heroes.”
The broadcast calendar now includes live events such as Bengaluru Bulls’ panga in the VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season 6 finals as they eye their first ever VIVO PKL trophy. Fans can also enjoy Karnataka’s domestic cricket matches, Hero Indian Super League, Premier Badminton League, upcoming AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, Khelo India Youth Games, VIVO IPL and a host of other sporting events being broadcast in Kannada throughout the year. Star Sports 1 Kannada aims to provide fans with region-specific quality sports content allowing them to connect with their heroes.
A Star India spokesperson said, “Sports is more engaging, enjoyable and thrilling when it is watched in a language one speaks. Our strong presence in Karnataka has helped us understand how Kannadiga sports fans like to consume sports content. Kannadigas possess an inherent sporting quality of resilience and an undying desire to always win. Star Sports 1 Kannada, with its extensive line-up of popular sports content, is a resolute step towards bringing these Kannadiga fans closer to their favourite games and heroes.”
A promo campaign was launched to support the launch of Star Sports 1 Kannada. Keeping true to the essence of the Kannadiga culture, the promo focuses on watching our sport in our language, and the determination and never say die attitude of a Kannadiga.
Star Sports 1 Kannada will be available on leading DTH/cable operators across Karnataka as well as rest of India soon.