Press Release
Tata Communications and NEP pioneer the remote production of VIVO Pro Kabbadi League 2018 for Star Sports
MUMBAI: Tata Communications, a leading global digital infrastructure provider, and NEP Broadcast Solutions, a division of NEP Group, are together enabling the remote production of VIVO Pro Kabbadi League (PKL) for Star Sports, the number one sports broadcaster in India and subsidiary of 21st Century Fox. Now in its sixth season, this is the first time that PKL is being produced remotely by harnessing superfast connectivity.
The PKL is the largest league in the nation in terms of footprint, and the second most popular sports league in terms of viewership after the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 2018 season consists of 138 matches taking place over 91 days (October 7th 2018 – January 5th 2019). It is being streamed across six channels and in five languages – Star Sports English, Star Sports Hindi, Star Sports First, Star Sports 1 (Tamil), Star Suvarna Plus (Kannada) and Star Maa Gold (Telugu).
Given the back-to-back schedule of events in multiple locations, Star Sports has partnered with Tata Communications and NEP to streamline and reduce the cost of the broadcast of PKL with remote production.
This means that production teams don’t need to travel to each venue, and the different localised broadcasts can be brought to audiences more efficiently.
During each match, the remote production team (the director, vision mixer, audio engineers, EVS operators, producers and graphics team) operates out of the Star Sports facility in Mumbai, whereas the production crew along with NEP’s engineering team (cameramen, sound assistants, talent producers and the production management) are on-site. They collaborate seamlessly in real-time to deliver every moment of the action to more than 200 million viewers using Tata Communications’ Video Connect network. It ensures the smooth transmission of a combination of signals and camera feeds from each fixture because of its ultra-low, four- frames-per-second latency and hitless switching capability. NEP’s flight pack Broadcast Lite – which allows a quick set-up in minimum space without any compromise in functionality and quality – makes it easy for Star Sports to produce both the world feed and regional language feeds. These consist of 27 unilateral camera feeds that are sent from the venues to its Mumbai hub, and 4 return feeds that are sent back to the venues, along with associated AES audio feeds.
“As India’s number one sports broadcaster, we have always pushed the boundaries of what’s possible,” a Star India spokesperson said. “Harnessing the joint capabilities of NEP and Tata Communications allows us to bring this incredible — yet logistically complex — series of matches to millions of Kabaddi fans across India without a glitch. And, thanks to the efficiencies gained through remote production, we can focus our efforts on enhancing how people are able to enjoy and engage with their favourite sport.”
“The millions of kabaddi fans across India don’t want to miss a millisecond of the on or off-court action, which means that the production of each PKL match needs to be completely seamless,” said Brian Morris, Vice President and General Manager, Media & Entertainment Services, Tata Communications. “At the same time, broadcasters are under pressure to increase efficiencies and reduce costs to ensure good return for their sports investments. To deliver the highest-quality content to audiences and create a TV experience that is closest to witnessing a match live in the stadium, more and more broadcasters globally are following in Star Sports’ footsteps and embracing remote production.”
“We are delighted to partner again with Star Sports and Tata Communications on enhancing the viewer experience by seamlessly broadcasting sporting events to millions of fans using remote production. This teamwork demonstrates that leveraging the unified force of leading organisations can drive innovation in the broadcasting industry while improving efficiencies,” said Saeed Izadi, President, Broadcast Solutions, NEP. “Together, we are redefining the production of kabaddi in India.”
In less than a year, this is Star Sports’ second major remote production project with Tata Communications and NEP. Earlier this year, the two companies joined forces for the remote production of the entire VIVO IPL 2018 league that consisted of 60 matches taking place over 50 days in nine cities.
Bali is full of memorable moments, and some of them involve animals. Temple monkeys tug at bags, beach dogs nap near sunbeds, and cats wander into cafés like they own the place. Most interactions are harmless, but a bite or scratch can change the day quickly, because you may need immediate medical care and follow-up treatment. This is where Bali travel insurance becomes more than a box to tick.
In this article, you will explore whether animal bite treatment is insured, the exclusions, and the steps to claim easily in Bali.
Why Animal Bites in Bali Need Special Attention
Bites are not only about the visible wound. Insurers and doctors both treat them as medical events that can pose an infection risk, especially when the bite breaks the skin.
A scratch that looks small in the moment can still lead to:
● A doctor’s examination and wound cleaning
● Medicines and dressings
● Follow-up consultations if the doctor advises observation or further care
From an insurance perspective, this matters because claims are usually assessed on medical necessity and documentation, not on how dramatic the injury appears in a photo.
How International Travel Insurance Looks at an Animal Bite
Most travel policies are built around emergency medical expenses for unexpected illness or accidental injury abroad. A bite or scratch usually fits the accidental injury bucket, but coverage is rarely blanket.
In many plans, the following may be considered if a doctor prescribes them and bills and medical notes support them:
● Consultation and outpatient treatment
● Emergency care and procedures, such as wound dressing or stitches, if clinically required
● Prescribed medicines and investigations
● Hospitalisation if the treating doctor confirms it is needed
Common Reasons Claims Get Reduced or Rejected
This is the part travellers often miss. Insurers usually do not deny claims because an animal was involved. Claims become difficult when the event looks avoidable, the reporting is delayed, or the paperwork is weak.
Avoidable-Risk Situations Insurers Scrutinise
Policies commonly exclude or limit claims linked to unsafe conduct or preventable exposure. For animal bites, scrutiny may increase if the incident appears connected to:
● Provoking, feeding, or trying to handle wild animals
● Ignoring warning signs at tourist spots
● Being intoxicated at the time of the incident
● Activities that a policy lists as excluded or restricted
The takeaway is simple: if your own description sounds like a risky choice rather than a sudden accident, the insurer may challenge it.
Delays, Missing Papers, and Policy Conditions
Even when your incident is genuinely accidental, claims can still stall due to basics such as:
● Not informing the insurer or assistance partner within the required time
● Missing itemised bills, prescriptions, or clinical notes
● No proof of travel dates or passport entry details when requested
● Submitting only pharmacy slips without a doctor’s consultation record
International travel insurance is paperwork-driven. If you document it well, you reduce the chance of avoidable back-and-forth.
What to Do If You Are Bitten or Scratched in Bali
Your health comes first, always. But a few sensible steps can protect your recovery and keep your insurance file clean.
Medical Steps That Help You and Your Claim
Act fast, stay calm, and get proper care before worrying about bills.
● Clean the wound promptly and seek medical care, even if it seems minor
● Follow the doctor’s advice, including follow-ups if recommended
● Avoid self-medicating in place of a clinical assessment, because insurers often ask for a doctor’s report
Claim Notes and Documents to Collect
Keep these handy; they’ll save time and avoid follow-up questions later.
● Doctor’s notes that mention the nature of injury, treatment given, and advised next steps
● Prescriptions and pharmacy invoices
● Itemised hospital or clinic bills
● A brief written note of where and when it happened, while it is still fresh in your mind
Final Word
Animal bites in Bali are not rare, and they are not always dramatic, which is exactly why travellers underestimate them. Many travel policies can cover bite-related medical treatment when it is accidental and medically necessary, but the outcome depends on your policy terms and the quality of your documentation. If you buy cover thoughtfully, keep the assistance number handy, and respond sensibly if an incident happens, you give yourself the best chance of both good medical care and a smoother claim experience.
