Media release, May 10, 2005
New Delhi

In a major development in world of professional wrestling, ESPN STAR Sports today announced that it has entered into a three year deal with TNA Entertainment, LLC to broadcast all TNA Wrestling programs on its channels in India and the rest of Asia.

Under the deal ESPN STAR Sports will showcase the popular TNA programs – 'TNA Impact', 'TNA Xplosion' and a special weekly program from the archives of TNA Wrestling. In addition STAR Sports will also feature a 'Monthly Special' - the ultimate battle after a month long build up, every month.

The 'Monthly Specials' kick off with 'Lockdown' and will be followed with one special every month. Monthly Specials have innovative battle formats like a 'caged fight', an 'iron rod fight' etc and have the biggest superstars of TNA pitted against each other.

Speaking on the development RC Venkateish, MD, ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd., said, "Viewer interest in professional wrestling has been on the rise in India. Some of the big names from the world of professional wrestling have ardent fan following in the country. Our understanding of the viewers in India has lead us to believe that the viewers have a hunger for more and more of professional wrestling. TNA Wrestling is a leading wrestling property and is popular the world over. With big names and a very innovative format, it is bound to catch the viewers' imagination. TNA will also be an attraction because it features an Indian wrestler too in Sonjay Dutt. We plan to market and build the popularity of TNA wrestling across the country."

The action and wrestling genre is attracting viewer interest. Our acquisition on action properties will continue and we will not stop at TNA and will continue to consolidate this aspect of programming on our channels. We are looking at developing a comprehensive and entertaining professional wrestling package on our networks." added, Venkateish.

"Asia has always been a hotbed for professional wrestling." said Dixie Carter, President TNA Entertainment "We are thrilled to have ESPN STAR Sports on board to showcase our brand of professional wrestling."

STAR Sports will be showcasing TNA Impact, TNA Xplosion and TNA Wrestling (archives) on a weekly basis and the monthly specials starting with 'Lockdown' on a monthly basis.

TNA Impact is a one-of-its-kind wrestling property featuring the innovative six-sided ring, giving many more angles to the wrestler to catapult and attack his opponent. TNA Impact is fought for three titles: the NWA World Heavyweight Championship - a heavy weight category championship for individual wrestlers; the NWA World Tag Team Championship - a team championship for wrestlers in teams of two; and the TNA X- Division Championship - a 'high risk moves championship' where mostly light weight wrestlers battle it out, though there is no upper weight limit on the X Division title.

TNA Xplosion is TNA's one-hour weekly show featuring exclusive matches, interviews, news and rumors from TNA. In addition to footage from Impact, Xplosion features exclusive interviews with TNA superstars. Xplosion is a complete guide to everything happening in and out of the six-sided ring (TNA Impact). It also gives all the up-to-date lineups on the upcoming TNA Monthly Specials.

TNA wrestling features many Superstars from the world of professional wrestling. The likes of the 'King of The Mountain' Jeff Jarrett – NWA World Heavyweight Champion Titleholder since June 2, 2004, The 'Fallen Angel'

Christopher Daniels - TNA X-Division Champion Titleholder since March 13, 2005, Jeff Hardy, Raven, Kevin Nash, Sean Waltman (123 kid or XPAC) and DDP are household names and revered alike by fans all over.

TNA Wrestling also features Sonjay Dutt, one of the first Indian-American professional wrestlers, who is considered a very strong contender for the X-Division title.

For further information, please contact
Shantanu Srivastava,
Assistant Manager - Corporate Communications,
ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd
011-5154 4444 - 51:
Email: shantanus@espnstar.co.in