How streaming is changing Indian sport?

In this episode of Game Play Sport, we explore how OTT platforms like Netflix are reshaping the way sport is consumed in India.

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What happens when Triple H says ​“Namaste India” in a Netflix promo? It’s more than just a viral moment — it’s a signal of how global streaming platforms are eyeing Indian sport as their next big play. In order to unpack what’s really going on, we’re joined by Manuja Veerappa, senior journalist at The Times of India and a keen observer of the changing sport-media landscape.

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From behind-the-scenes docuseries to athlete-led storytelling, we’re seeing a shift from live stadium energy and family TV nights to solitary, on-demand streaming. The way we watch — and relate to — sport is becoming deeply personal, driven by algorithms and designed for binge.

But it’s not just about cricket and glamour. OTT platforms also hold the potential to reframe how we perceive lesser-followed Indian sports — from wrestling and archery to kabaddi and athletics. Can storytelling finally give these disciplines the spotlight they deserve?

At the same time, we look at the flipside. With more content moving behind paywalls, is sport becoming less accessible to the very communities that live and breathe it? What do we lose when the roar of the crowd is replaced by curated viewing?

Credits

Akshay Ramuhalli, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Kishor Mandal, Kruthika Rao, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Ram Sheshadri, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar.

Special thanks to Manuja Veerappa for being part of this episode.

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