DUBAI: Baseball United, the first professional league focused on the Middle East and South Asia, has announced a partnership with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., the leading media and entertainment company, to deliver games live to millions in India.
The collaboration with Z includes coverage of all 21 of Baseball United’s Season One games this November and December, and several primetime matches featuring the Mumbai Cobras, India’s first professional franchise.
Baseball United’s games will air on three of Z’s leading linear channels — Zee Cafe SD, &Flix SD and &Pictures HD — and stream on the Zee 5 app. Broadcasts will be in English and Hindi.
Baseball United’s inaugural season will include the league’s four founding franchises — Arabia Wolves, Mid East Falcons, Karachi Monarchs, and Mumbai Cobras.
The partnership includes full supplementary content on Zee 5, including player features, ballpark highlights, Baseball 101 clips, behind-the-scenes segments, and an original documentary on the building of the league.
Z will support the partnership with four weeks of promotion across its network, with teasers, ad spots, lower-thirds, and additional branded content. Both Baseball United and Z will also collaborate on social media posts and campaigns.
The league’s season begins with a historic matchup, as Mumbai takes on Karachi for a three-game “Subcontinent Series” on Nov. 14, 15 and 16.
The series will mark the first games in history for both franchises, as well as the first India-Pakistan professional matchups. The teams’ rosters have players from 25 countries, including six Indians on the Mumbai franchise.
Kash Shaikh, chairman, CEO and co-founder of Baseball United said he was excited at the collaboration with Z.
“This is a major milestone in our mission to bring professional baseball to India and the broader region, and it’s a significant moment for the more than 50 million baseball fans in India.
“Z is one of India’s most iconic broadcasters, and their combination of reach, relevance, and reputation make them an ideal partner to connect with fans across this great country.”
India has one of the world’s largest, youngest, and fastest-growing media markets. Z, which reaches over 800 million viewers, is one of India’s pioneering private broadcasters. Its flagship Zee TV launched in October 1992 as India’s first privately-held satellite channel.
Over the decades, Z has grown into a full-spectrum media and entertainment conglomerate, spanning general entertainment, movies, regional- and language-specific channels, and a major digital platform.
“At Z, we are committed to bringing world-class international sports to Indian audiences and establishing India as a global platform for sports consumption,” said Laxmi Shetty, head of advertisement revenue, broadcast and digital.
“India has a deeply entrenched bat-and-ball sporting culture, and we are excited to introduce millions of sports fans to the speed, strategy, and spectacle of professional baseball.
“With Hindi and English feeds, we are building a foundation for the sport of baseball that will entertain fans and create a wider passionate fanbase.”
Baseball United’s first full season begins Nov. 14 in Dubai with 21 games in 30 days, to be broadcast live with music and fan experiences. The season ends with the United Series Championship, from Dec. 12 to 14.
Supported by 20 Major League Baseball legends, including Mariano Rivera, Barry Larkin, Adrian Beltre and Albert Pujols, Baseball United aims to grow the game across the world’s most populous region.
