Doordarshan (DD), India’s national broadcaster, has partnered with the Hockey India League (HIL) to bring live coverage of the 2024-25 season to audiences across the nation.
The 2024-25 season of the Hockey India League is set to begin on December 28, featuring eight men’s teams and four women’s teams, with matches taking place in Rourkela and Ranchi. This edition will bring together top-tier hockey talent from India and around the world.
This historic edition will also see the debut of the women’s league, reinforcing Hockey India’s commitment to gender inclusivity in sports.
Navneet Sehgal, Chairman of Prasar Bharati, expressed excitement about the partnership, saying, “Prasar Bharati is privileged to collaborate with the Hockey India League, a platform that celebrates our national sport and unites people across various categories. Through our extensive coverage, we aim to bring the excitement of hockey, including the historic debut of Women’s HIL, to viewers nationwide, bridging the urban-rural divide and amplifying the league’s impact.”
Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO of Prasar Bharati, added, “With back-to-back Olympic medals in Tokyo and Paris, Indian sports enthusiasts are confident that Indian hockey is entering a golden era. Doordarshan, as the public broadcaster, is eager to contribute to this vision. We aim to elevate hockey’s production and broadcasting to global standards. Now, sports fans worldwide can watch the Hockey India League—both men’s and women’s—on DD Sports and Waves, our newly launched OTT platform. Stay tuned for the broadcast starting December 28, 2024.”
Dr. Dilip Tirkey, Chairperson of the Hockey India League Governing Committee, shared his excitement about the partnership, saying, “We are thrilled to partner with Doordarshan as the official broadcaster of the Hockey India League. This year is particularly special with the launch of the Women’s HIL, a major milestone in promoting women’s hockey. Doordarshan’s unmatched reach and dedication to sports perfectly align with our vision to take hockey to every corner of India. Together, we aim to inspire millions and take the HIL to new heights.”
Notably, Doordarshan’s partnership with Hockey India extends to all National Championships. Going forward, all Hockey India National Championships across various categories, as well as all hockey events in India owned by Hockey India, will be telecast on DD.