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Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) has renewed its partnership with Viacom18 to bring the upcoming season’s world-class table tennis action to Indian audiences. Scheduled to be held in Chennai from August 22 to September 7, UTT 2024 will be streamed for free on JioCinema and broadcast on the Sports18 Network.
Marking the second year of collaboration between UTT and Viacom18, this deal follows a successful previous season. The franchise-based league, now in its fifth season, promises 17 days of high-energy matches, broadcast in English and Hindi, to cater to table tennis and sports enthusiasts nationwide
Launched in 2017 and promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani under the auspices of the Table Tennis Federation of India, UTT has rapidly gained recognition as a premier global sports property in table tennis. The league has significantly contributed to the growth of Indian table tennis, as highlighted by India’s historic qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Speaking on the partnership, UTT co-promoters Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani stated, “Our collaboration with Viacom18 underscores our mutual commitment to expanding table tennis in India. Viacom18’s mandate for the Paris 2024 Olympics will showcase our top Indian paddlers on the global stage. Transitioning to UTT 2024 post-Olympics will be seamless, with Viacom18’s extensive reach ensuring the excitement of UTT 2024 resonates nationwide.”
Last season, the league attracted a combined viewership of over 33 million across 18 days on JioCinema and the Sports18 Network. This year, UTT expands its footprint by featuring eight teams for the first time, with the addition of Ahmedabad SG Pipers and Jaipur Patriots. The other participating teams include PBG Bengaluru Smashers, Dabang Delhi TTC, U Mumba TT, Goa Challengers, Puneri Paltan Table Tennis, and Chennai Lions.
UTT enhances Viacom18’s already diverse sporting portfolio, which includes global events such as the upcoming Olympic Games Paris 2024, Diamond League, select BWF events, BCCI Cricket, TATA IPL, TATA WPL, SA20, Major League Cricket (MLC), and the NBA.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Ultimate Table Tennis. The league has captivated audiences with high-quality competition and stellar performances by Indian and international star paddlers,” said Viacom18 Sports Head of Strategy, Acquisitions, & Partnerships, Hursh Shrivastava. “We are particularly excited to feature top Indian paddlers like Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai, Manav Thakkar, Manika Batra, and Sreeja Akula, who will be returning from the Olympics to compete in UTT 2024.”
UTT 2024 will see 48 premier paddlers in action, including top Indian players such as Achanta Sharath Kamal, Manika Batra, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, and Sreeja Akula, alongside 16 global stars like World No. 9 Bernadette Szocs, World No. 16 Nina Mittelham, and Nigeria’s ace player Quadri Aruna. The Player Draft is set to take place in Mumbai on July 10.
