India’s Zee Entertainment Enterprises has launched a new sports initiative called Unite8 Sports, featuring a lineup of four channels. This move comes as the company explores options for broadcasting and streaming the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to begin on June 11.
The Unite8 Sports portfolio includes two Hindi channels, Unite8 Sports 1 and Unite8 Sports 1 HD, along with two English channels, Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD. These channels will showcase a variety of sports, including soccer, cricket, kabaddi, badminton, wrestling, and combat sports like boxing. The company has already submitted regulatory applications for the channel launch.
Bavesh Janavlekar, who previously managed Zee’s Marathi-language film operations, will now also serve as the chief business officer for Unite8 Sports.
Janavlekar noted the growing demand for sports in India, highlighting that audiences are increasingly interested in both global and local sporting events. He stated that launching these channels aligns with Zee’s plan to diversify its content offerings and tap into new business opportunities.
The company’s interest in the FIFA World Cup comes at a time when broadcast rights for the tournament in India are still undecided. FIFA had originally sought $100 million for rights covering the 2026 and 2030 World Cups but later reduced its asking price to about $60 million. India’s largest streaming platform, JioStar, offered $20 million, which fell short of FIFA’s expectations, leaving negotiations at a standstill. Sony also considered bidding but chose not to proceed. FIFA has already secured agreements with broadcasters in over 180 countries.
The upcoming World Cup will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, taking place from June 11 to July 19.
Historically, Zee has broadcast live sports on its general entertainment channels, and this new four-channel initiative marks a significant step towards establishing a dedicated sports broadcasting presence.
