Doordarshan (DD), India's national broadcaster, has announced a significant partnership with the Hockey India League (HIL) to bring live coverage of the 2024-25 season. This collaboration aims to provide nationwide access to the exciting action of the league, allowing fans across India to enjoy the matches.
The 2024-25 season of the Hockey India League will begin on December 28, featuring a total of eight men’s teams and four women’s teams. The games will take place in Rourkela and Ranchi, and will showcase top-tier hockey talent from both India and across the globe. This season is expected to be an exciting one, with highly competitive matches between some of the best teams.
One of the major highlights of the 2024-25 season is the debut of the Women’s Hockey India League (Women’s HIL). This launch marks a historic moment in Indian sports, further demonstrating Hockey India’s commitment to gender inclusivity in sports. The addition of the women's league aims to elevate women’s hockey in the country, providing female athletes with a prominent platform to showcase their skills.
Navneet Sehgal, Chairman of Prasar Bharati, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "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.”
Dr. Dilip Tirkey, Chairperson of the Hockey India League Governing Committee, shared his excitement, 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.”
As part of the partnership, Doordarshan will be broadcasting both the men’s and women’s matches on DD Sports. Furthermore, the newly launched OTT platform, Waves, will also offer fans the ability to stream the games live, expanding the reach and accessibility of the Hockey India League. This marks a significant step forward in how hockey will be consumed by audiences both in India and globally.
In addition to the 2024-25 Hockey India League season, Doordarshan’s partnership with Hockey India will extend to all National Championships in the future. This means that all Hockey India National Championships across various categories, along with all other hockey events organized by Hockey India, will be telecast on DD in the coming years. This collaboration aims to promote hockey at the grassroots level, creating a more substantial connection between fans and the sport.