JioStar's Live Sports Production Operates with Zero Margin for Error
JioStar's live sports production prioritizes fan experience above all else. The operation supports multiple language streams and formats simultaneously. Technological advancements are stress-tested to enhance viewer engagement.
JioStar's Commitment to Fan Experience
JioStar's live sports production operation has no room for error, which shapes every decision the company makes.
Prashant Khanna, Head of Sports and Live Experiences Production Services and Production Technology at JioStar, stated that the TATA IPL 2026 streamed to nearly 1.06 billion screens across 12-plus languages.
Peak concurrencies on the platform reached 72.5 million, a record set during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final.
Khanna emphasized the importance of delivering a consumer-first experience when managing such a vast array of languages and formats.
He noted, "You have to get it right, and you have to make sure that it becomes a consumer-first experience."
Operational Cohesion and Technology Testing
JioStar produces vertical and horizontal feeds simultaneously, along with multiple language streams and inclusivity formats, including a sign language feed and descriptive commentary.
Khanna remarked that the operation must function as one cohesive unit, stating, "When you're going out so diverse and far and wide, it's really important that you're able to make sure that the consumer experience is not compromised in any manner."
On remote production, Khanna highlighted that fan experience takes precedence over cost and flexibility.
"It's fan-first," he said.
"What's more important is how do we make sure that we entertain and delight fans consistently."
New technologies, including AR, VR, and camera enhancements, must be stress-tested before going live, with the primary criterion being whether they improve the fan experience.
Khanna explained, "In the case of live sports, you don't have the flexibility of going back and fixing anything."
Next Product Checkpoint
Looking ahead, Khanna pointed to personalization as a defining shift in live sports production.
He stated, "How you consume the same match versus how I consume the same match is very different.
We want to make sure that we're customizing for each individual."
He acknowledged the rapid pace of technological change, making long-term forecasting challenging.
"Technology is moving very, very fast now," he said.
JioStar collaborates closely with international partners, including Fox, ESPN, and Sky, to exchange insights on technology and workflow, allowing for quicker adaptations to new challenges.
