The Indian Premier League for the 12 successive years has been all about razzmatazz. As much about the action within the ropes in the oval as the colours and ambience in the stadium beyond those ropes.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India is defying all odds to ensure that crickets’ most precious professional league did not miss its 13th season. The matches will be played behind closed doors in the UAE.
IPL host broadcaster Star India is busy assuring that the millions of fans do not miss the entertainment quotient. Star India’s OTT service Disney+ Hotstar will use technology to bring home in-stadia experience during the LIVE streaming of the league.
While social distancing norms have disrupted the way LIVE sports are enjoyed, Disney+ Hotstar VIP has innovated to bring home an in-stadia experience. This will allow fans to join a virtual community that will allow them to enjoy the matches with their friends and fellow cricket lovers real-time, whilst sharing selfies and videos.
Replicating the exhilarating roar of the stadium, fans will be able to determine the mood of the nation using an interactive emoji stream. In a global first, cricket lovers will be able to join in the action by expressing themselves using ‘Hotshots’ selfies or a new video feature ‘Duets’ that lets fans create customized videos showcasing their rendition of famous shots and reactions of their favourite Dream 11 IPL Heroes; the best of which will be broadcast on STAR Sports.
Uday Shankar – President, The Walt Disney Company APAC and Chairman, Star & Disney India, said: “Over the past few years, IPL has become the most loved sporting tournament in the country. After several months of the lockdown, we believe that this tournament can be a catalyst in ushering in new optimism and smiles in India, with millions of fans cheering together from all parts of the country. Our use of technology in presenting this immersive experience will not only set a global benchmark but also redefine the way we watch and enjoy sports in the coming years.”
As part of many firsts, the Dream11 IPL 2020 will only be accessible to new and existing subscribers of Disney+ Hotstar VIP and Disney+ Hotstar Premium.
Upping the ante from the previous tournaments, this year Disney+ Hotstar VIP has added new features to the interactive Watch’N Play social feed that allows a nationwide virtual community of cricket lovers to share excitement and support while watching the matches LIVE on the platform.
Viewers will need an annual subscription of Disney+ Hotstar VIP or Disney+ Hotstar Premium to watch all the Dream11 IPL 2020 matches Live.