The over-the-top (OTT) video service, which is dedicated to sports content, will stream more than 20 live MLB games each week during the season, which runs from April to September. In addition, it will provide coverage of the league’s ‘Jewel events’ including the All Star game in July, Wild Card games, division series, League Championship series, and the World Series in October and November.
The partners said they would also launch initiatives to grow the Indian audience for Major League Baseball, including promotional activities and events, along with digital fan activation and engagement.
“Baseball has a niche audience here and we wish to grow it further,” said Vikram Tanwar, co-founder and director, VEQTA. “Through this partnership, Indian baseball fans will have access to exclusive baseball content not available in its entirety on any other platform. VEQTA is proud to bring this experience to India and assert our commitment to offer the best sports content from across the globe to Indian fans.”
The company has also forged content partnerships with sports organisations to stream tennis, football, fight sports, motorsports, basketball, rugby and athletics. The OTT service plans to broadcast over 6,000 hours of live sports content in 2017.
Dominick Balsamo, VP – international media sales and marketing partnerships, Major League Baseball, said: “MLB on VEQTA will serve Indian baseball fans with comprehensive coverage of the league from opening day through the World Series, and present the game on an exciting platform that promises to attract new baseball fans and players in India.”
Co-founded by Vikram Tanwar and Varun Mathur in Delhi in April 2015, VEQTA raised US$500,000 in seed capital from Chatsworth Management and sports management company ITW Consulting in May 2016.