MUMBAI: Star India is all set to launch its fifth (including Hindi) regional sports channel to cater the Bengali audience i.e. Star Sports 1 Bangla on 5 March, a source close to the development informed Indiantelevision.com. The soft launch of the channel is in the process and it is being tested on Asiasat-7 satellite.
In the last six months, the broadcaster has launched three channels apart from Star Sports 1 Bangla. The three channels are Star Sports 3, Star Sports 1 Telugu and Star Sports 1 Kannada.
It is to be seen whether the Bengali audience gets to watch the second ODI match between India and Australia as it is on the same day of channel launch.
Recently, the broadcaster released its rate card after amendments on 21 February 2019 and added the channel in several bouquets. Star Sports 1 Bangla has been added in Bengali Value pack priced at Rs 49, Bengali Premium pack for Rs 79, Bengali HD Value pack at Rs 85, Bengali HD Premium priced at Rs 120.
Star has also revealed that Star Sports 1 Bangla will be available for Rs 19 on a-la-carte.
To cater to the diverse consumer segments based on the consumption, Star India has launched two more packs Bengali-Hindi Premium pack for Rs 85 and Bengali-Hindi HD Premium for Rs 130. Both the pack have Bengali, Hindi, English entertainment and movie channels apart from sports and infotainment channels.
With the launch of Star Sports 1 Bangla, the broadcaster will have 37 SD channels including 11 SD sports channels. It also owns 27 HD channels including five sports HD channels.
