MUMBAI: World Wrestling Entertainment popularly known as WWE is set to further grow as a sports property and find a new flavour in India. Taking a leap, the network Ten Sports has decided to provide language commentary in Hindi for the repeat telecast of RAW. A special customised show is also being introduced which will be in Hinglish produced out of a studio. Another programme, the Main Event will be introduced for the first time in India, which will be a combined package of RAW and Smackdown.
According to sources, established flagship properties like RAW and specials will have a live simulcast on Ten Sports as from USA, beginning January 2015. The timings for these programmes will be between 5:30 am to 6 am. Not to be deterred by ratings, the network will telecast repeats of the show.
The development comes in the wake of Taj TV and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) signing a new agreement in September 2014, as per which starting January 2015, WWE will be available exclusively on the Ten Sports Network, for a further five years till 2019.
WWE has been broadcast on Ten Sports since the launch of the channel in 2002. WWE together with Ten Sports will be investing little over $100 million in the Indian market as part of the new agreement.
Ten Sports which is looking at a major revamp early next year, also has acquired the Indian sub-continent broadcast rights for the 2018 Common Wealth Games to be held in Gold Coast Australia. The network has a bouquet of premium football properties from across the globe including UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League among others.
