PBL unlikely to have a broadcast deal with Star Sports extended

Star Sports, the official broadcasters of the Premier Badminton League (PBL), are hesitant to renew their contract after the current season of the franchise-based event due to weak audience viewer ratings and sponsorship. According to Insidesport.co, Star has been left disappointed with the reaction towards the tournament despite the presence of some big names like PV Sindhu.

However, SportzLive, the organizers of the PBL are hopeful that the contract will be renewed. Sources, though, say that Star have almost decided not to broadcast the games from next year due to the continued losses. Star is also frustrated with the lack of any solid on-air advertisement brands and sales.

The channel has been involved with the PBL ever since the competition was launched way back in 2013. However, since then, Sporty Solutionz Private Limited, the commercial rights owners of the league, have been unable to find a long-term sponsor, and also entered the 2020 edition without any title sponsors. While Vodafone, the telecom service provider, had been the title sponsors since the start of the PBL in 2013, they pulled out before the tournament this year.

With no other brand willing to come on board as the title sponsors, Star took on the responsibility as well.

On the field, the North Eastern Warriors currently lead the points table with 22 points from 30 matches, and 13 wins. Chennai Superstarz are tied in points as well, but have won three games less.

The various sporting leagues around the world enable youngsters to gain invaluable match experience as they learn to hold their nerves at the greatest stage while rubbing shoulders with the superstars of the game. The PBL is yet another tournament that has allowed the young badminton enthusiasts to learn from the superstars, and it is hoped that the event can get out of the mess it finds itself in currently.