DLF IPL broadcast gets Extraaa zing on Max with Mandira and SEL

India’s Premium Hindi Movies and Special Events channel on Monday April 13th evening announced a slew of power packed initiatives for the second season of the DLF IPL action on the channel at Taj Lands End Hotel in Mumbai. Max has brought back the ravishing and articulate first lady of Indian cricket –Mandira Bedi, as a co host for Extraaa Innings T20.

Making the broadcast much bigger and better, MAX has roped in the dynamic trio of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy to create musical magic for it’s popular wrap-around programming ‘Extraaa Innings T20’. Based on MAX’s popular campaign for the DLF IPL – “Ek Desh Ek Junoon” – the musical maestros’ powerful composition will be played as an opening montage on every episode of Extraaa Innings T20. Also announced was a fresh new team of anchors for Extraaa Innings T20 – Samir Kochhar who successfully hosted DLF IPL season 1, is back with us for season 2, Meiyang Chang – one of the most popular Indian Idol contestants and the host of the Indian Idol 4 show and Gaurav Kapoor – the very recognizable VJ and presenter for six long years and now ready to set the big screen on fire with two upcoming films.

Mandira’s association with MAX spans over six years and the talented presenter played a significant role in attracting, engaging and expanding the audience base for cricket viewing in India. Commenting on the association, Mandira Bedi said, “Extraaa Innings has always been very special to me. The show gave me an opportunity to live my passion for cricket. I am really excited to co-host Extraaa Innings again and that too for this rocking cricket tournament that from season one has captured the eyeballs and hearts of cricket fans all over India and the world. I am thrilled to be playing a part in making cricket a complete family experience. Extraaa Innings combined the academic Cricket with mainstream entertainment like never before.

Shankar Mahadevan, the lead singer of the group averred, “Cricket is religion in India. We have tried to compose a score that is truly reflective of the country’s passion and junoon for the sport. It’s a fun song, all about celebration and highly charged emotions. It’s our musical ode to the lovers of cricket and we are sure viewers of MAX will enjoy this unique and powerful rock meets desi experience.”

Also speaking on the occasion, Sneha Rajani, EVP and Business Head, MAX, said, “Extraaa Innings has been a path breaking show around MAX’s big ticket cricket events. We have pioneered the innovative mix of cricket and entertainment through the show, which has completely revolutionised what viewers expect from wrap around cricket programming. Last year with the launch of DLF IPL, our new version of Extraaa Innings T20 welcomed new faces to our broadcast. To top this, this time we have on board Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s chartbusting composition as the opener to Extraaa Innings T20 and of course our fresh line-up of dynamic presenters. Our audience is in for a veritable feast, with MAX presenting the biggest and the best in cricket and entertainment – in a style that truly reflects our nation’s passion”

DLF IPL Season 2 starts on 18th April 2009 LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE on MAX.