Zee Lines Up Unite8 Sports Push, Eyes FIFA World Cup Rights For India

Nikunj Parikh - Mumbai Bureau May 26, 2026 1,350 Views

Zee Entertainment is sharpening its sports play with the launch of Unite8 Sports, a new bouquet of four dedicated sports channels, even as it engages with FIFA to secure broadcast and streaming rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India. The move aims to deepen its linear reach and tap growing sports viewership.

Zee’s Next Big Bet In Sports Broadcasting

The company plans to roll out Unite8 Sports 1 and Unite8 Sports 1 HD in Hindi, along with Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD in English, subject to regulatory approvals. Positioned as a high-engagement sports portfolio, the network will sit alongside Zee’s existing entertainment assets to drive stronger audience stickiness and advertiser interest.

Programming Mix And Content Strategy

Unite8 Sports will showcase marquee events across football, kabaddi, cricket, badminton, wrestling, boxing and combat sports, with an emphasis on formats that are global in appeal yet rooted in India’s heartland. Zee is also in discussions with FIFA to broadcast and stream FIFA World Cup 2026 matches in India, a potential game changer for its sports positioning if the deal materialises.

Leadership And Growth Ambition

Zee has named Bavesh Janavlekar, who successfully led the Marathi movies cluster, as Chief Business Officer for Unite8 Sports, tasking him with scaling the new sports business. The company sees rising demand for live, appointment-based sports content and is positioning Unite8 as a value-accretive, scalable vertical within its broader content and technology ecosystem.

Sports portfolio highlights

Four dedicated sports channels across Hindi and English
Multi-sport line-up spanning football, kabaddi, cricket, badminton and combat sports
FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast and streaming discussions underway for India
Strategic focus on linear sports to diversify revenues and deepen engagement
Leadership mandate given to Bavesh Janavlekar as Chief Business Officer Unite8 Sports