TNA issued a press release to announce the signing of a new television deal with ESS, which serves India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Maldives. "With this deal, TNA will return to STAR Sports starting September 3rd and the heart-stopping action continues with the two popular TNA programs ‘TNA iMPACT!’ & ‘TNA Xplosion’ every week and big, special blockbuster events each month," reads the press release. To read it in its entirety, click here.

Powell's POV: I don't follow overseas television, so I turned to a source who has direct knowledge of ESS. "Problem is, ESS has a very small market penetration," reports the source. "In India, TV is still in the dark ages when compared to the UK... Some of the relatively more well off Indian houses have satellites... Over the air is king. If you don't have an over the air deal, you need an native network affiliation if you see this is as a platform to eventually run live events in the market."

The source noted that the deal would be a "home run" if TNA managed to secure a home video deal as part of the television agreement and even a "grand slam" if they could sell a tour to a rich promoter or entrepreneur as a result of the new pact.

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