Mumbai: News18 India, India’s number one Hindi news channel, recently hosted an exclusive interview with Mansukh Mandaviya, India’s minister of health and family welfare. During this interview, News18 India managing editor Kishore Ajwani delved into the remarkable achievements of the Ayushman Bharat program and India’s steadfast commitment to public health and global solidarity.
To celebrate prime minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, a groundbreaking initiative known as Ayushman Bhava is set to launch on a national scale. The campaign is scheduled to run from September 17th to October 2nd, and minister Mansukh Mandaviya has passionately called upon the nation’s citizens to actively participate. He revealed that “Seva Pakhwada” will be celebrated during these 15 days, welcoming any Indian citizen, social organization, representative, or political party to partake in this noble endeavor.
The Ayushman Bharat program, a government-led healthcare initiative, has positively impacted an astonishing 600 million individuals, providing them with crucial healthcare benefits. In a significant step towards improving accessibility and user-friendliness, the government recently introduced an innovative mobile application, ensuring ease and convenience for beneficiaries.
One of the program’s standout features is its widespread reach, with an impressive 240 million individuals already possessing Ayushman cards. Minister Mandaviya disclosed that these cards could now serve as a means for organ donation, streamlining the process and granting donors a certificate of their altruistic contribution.
Minister Mandaviya emphasised, “Ayushman Bharat is more than just a program; it is evolving into a monumental campaign.” Prime Minister Modi’s vision of offering free medical treatment up to 500,000 rupees has already transformed countless lives, and the upcoming Ayushman Villages initiative aims to further bolster healthcare accessibility.
Expressing his deep faith in the initiative, minister Mandaviya stated, “We are undertaking this campaign for the betterment of humanity,” expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support from citizens and NGOs eager to collaborate for the greater good.
“In our nation, health is not a business but a selfless service,” underscored minister Mandaviya, underscoring the government’s unwavering commitment to serving its people.
When questioned about the healthcare sector, the minister stressed the importance of international medical cooperation, particularly in the ongoing pandemic era. He highlighted the pivotal role played by digital technology in managing citizens’ health, with digital vaccine records contributing significantly to the efficient vaccination drive.
Regarding India’s remarkable vaccine initiative during the COVID-19 crisis, minister Mandaviya pointed out that extensive vaccine research had been conducted, leading to India’s global vaccine distribution efforts under the “vaccine maitri” mission. The world has recognized India’s substantial contributions to global vaccination efforts, highlighting the nation’s dedication to international solidarity.
In closing, minister Mansukh Mandaviya extended an invitation to all individuals to join hands with the Ayushman Bharat initiative, saying, “Come, be a part of our journey, support us, and help us scale new heights to ensure the success of the ‘Ayushmaan Bhav’ initiative.”
Mumbai: Focusing on football development, the Government of West Bengal and Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional ( Laliga), have entered a Memorandum of Understanding to elevate the game through mutual collaborations between India and Spain. Represented by the honourable chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee and president of Laliga, Javier Tebas, the meeting took place in Madrid and will seek to jointly promote football through mutual collaboration.
In attendance, were the former Indian cricket player, Sourav Ganguly, and chief secretary, Govt of West Bengal, H.K. Dwivedi. Representatives of the two major Football clubs of West Bengal joined the program: Debasish Dutta, general secretary, of Mohun Bagan Athletic Club & Ishtiaque Ahmed, general secretary of Mohammedan Sporting Club.
With the objective of collaboration through bilateral relations, the MOU will amplify the flow of knowledge & expertise from Laliga – the largest football ecosystem in the world – into West Bengal. Utilising shared resources to develop the game, the MOU will also look to develop the game’s grassroots & youth development set-up in West Bengal.
Amongst the highlights of the groundbreaking understanding of talent identification, infrastructural development & coach education, Laliga will also explore the development of excellence projects in the region basis mutual agreements with the government of West Bengal. Additionally, Laliga will also explore opportunities for football administrators, players & coaches from the region to be trained in the Laliga methodology.
Looking to build on the rich football heritage linked to West Bengal clubs, Laliga will additionally, share its technical know-how and expertise to assist football clubs of the State.
The honourable chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee added: “The signing of MOU between Govt of West Bengal and Laliga today on 14 September 2023 at Madrid, Spain in the presence of Mohun Bagan Club, East Bengal Club, Mohammedan Sporting Club and our icon Sourav Ganguly, will bring a new glorious chapter for Bengal football. We are on our way to becoming an epicentre of football in India.”
Laliga president Javier Tebas said, “We are thrilled to embark on this exciting journey with the Government of West Bengal to elevate football development in the region, taking advantage of the experience we have after more than 90 years leading professional soccer in Spain, and more specifically in the seven years that Laliga has been in India since opening its office in 2016. This Memorandum of Understanding signifies our commitment to the people of West Bengal as jointly aim to create a self-sustaining football ecosystem, that will nurture talent in line with their rich heritage. Through knowledge sharing and collaboration, we will work towards building a brighter future for Indian football.”
Mumbai: On 16 September, fans around the world will gather for Batman Day, celebrating their love of DC’s hallmark superhero, one of the most enduring characters in popular culture. To commemorate this annual tradition, DC and Warner Bros. Discovery are preparing an incredible selection of content and activities to make Batman Day 2023 an incredible experience worldwide!
Across the Asia Pacific region, fans will have a chance to share in their love of Batman, along with other favorite bat-family and DC characters as they team up with the caped crusader in immersive experiences:
WBD Networks
Batman Day on Cartoon Network in India – from 16 September, at 6:30 pm, Cartoon Network will celebrate Batman Day with fun and action-packed Batman: The Animated Series episodes.
Local experiences
Across the Asia Pacific, a number of local activities and experiences will roll out from Batman Day onwards. Celebrating the 35th anniversary of Warner Bros. Pictures’ 1989 film Batman, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment will bring the film to symphony halls around the globe as part of its DC in Concert series in 2024. Guests will enjoy the film projected onto a larger-than-life screen while Danny Elfman’s iconic musical score is performed by a live orchestra. Visit www.DCFilmsinConcert.com beginning September 8 for dates and ticket information. Dates for Asia will be announced soon.
In India, key partners will return to replicate their success of Batman Day 2022 by running digital campaigns and marketing collaborations with key opinion leaders. DTC partners including Myntra, Bewakoof and Redwolf will conduct online marketing campaigns to drive sales, while partners like Reliance Trends, Bioworld, Pantaloons and Max will launch new collections of Batman-themed products. Experience the ‘Batman Teams Up’ theme with captivating marketing campaigns on Facebook and Instagram, boosted by hashtags #LongLiveTheBat, #BatmanDay, and #DCAsia. Discovery India, Animal Planet India, Cartoon Network India, and TLC India will commemorate the day on their respective social media channels.
For more news on all the Batman Day activations happening around the globe, check out the Batman Day Hub at http://www.DC.com/BatmanDay and follow @Batman on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Mumbai: On the auspicious occasion of prime minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, News18 is coming up with extensive programming including an exclusive documentary that offers a comprehensive and unbiased look into his remarkable journey. This documentary, titled Vishwa Mitra is scheduled for a special broadcast on the 17 of September 2023.
News18 India has always been committed to delivering credible and insightful content to its viewers. In line with this commitment, Vishwa Mitra promises to provide a unique perspective on the life and leadership of prime minister Modi.
This documentary will delve into many pivotal aspects of prime minister Modi’s journey showcasing his unwavering dedication to the welfare of the common people, his fearless approach to leadership, and his significant global impact. It pays tribute to one of India’s most iconic leaders and highlights his visionary leadership.
Prime minister Narendra Modi has undoubtedly made an indelible mark on India’s political landscape. His influence extends beyond national boundaries, making him a global figure of significance. Vishwa Mitra serves as a fitting tribute to his contributions to the nation and the world.
Tune in to the through-the-day coverage of prime minister Narendra Modi’s birthday and special documentary Vishwa Mitra on News18 India on 17 September 2023.
Mumbai: News18 Gujarati hosted the prestigious ‘Gujarat Ratna Sanman 2023’ awards ceremony on 8 September 2023, at Ahmedabad. The event celebrated the remarkable achievements of eight outstanding individuals who have brought immense pride to the state and the nation through their exemplary contributions in various fields.
The eight distinguished recipients of the ‘Gujarat Ratna Awards 2023’ included Padmashri Kartikeya Sarabhai: Education; Padmabhusan Kumudini Alkhiya: Arts and Culture; Padmashri Hemant Chauhan- Music; Padmashri Shahbuddin Rathod: Literature; Pankaj Patel, Industry, chairman: Zydus Group; actor Shri Malhar Thakar: Entertainment; Padmashri Dr. Tejas Patel: Health; Dileep Sanghani: Co-Operative.
The evening was graced by the presence of chief minister Bhupendra Patel, who attended as the chief guest. In his address, the chief minister expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the Gujarat Ratna awardees and praised News18 Gujarati for initiating such an admirable initiative. The event also saw the presence of prominent individuals from the city.
The News18 Gujarati ‘Gujarat Ratna Sanman 2023’ was co-powered by Reliance Industries Ltd and Wonder Wall Putty, along with associate sponsors Dharmaj Crop Guard Ltd, Sterling Agrichem Pvt Ltd, and MIT ADT University Pune.
Catch the exclusive telecast of the ‘Gujarat Ratna Sanman 2023’ on News18 Gujarati on 16 September 2023 at 11 AM, and witness the celebration of these exceptional individuals who have left an indelible mark on Gujarat.
Mumbai: Legends League Cricket (LLC) has taken another significant step towards elevating its operational excellence with the appointment of Sheetal Devgan as the assistant general manager of revenue. This strategic move is a testament to the vision of Legends League Cricket to create a world-class sports event that continues to captivate cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
In a further demonstration of its dedication to providing thrilling cricketing action, LLC has officially announced the upcoming season scheduled to take place in India from November 18 to December 9, 2023. LLC has witnessed acclaimed cricketers like Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Aaron Finch, Chris Gayle, Hashim Amla, among others, had concluded in March in Doha with a massive reach of 1.48 billion globally.
With the commencement of this year’s innings, Legends League Cricket is strengthening its team to deliver a better consumer experience. Speaking of which, Devgan, with an impressive 18 years of experience in marketing and sales, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new role. She possesses a formal background in marketing and a career marked by consistent success in marketing, sales, and IP sponsorship. She has had the privilege of collaborating with an array of esteemed clients, including renowned brands such as HUL, MTDC, GOA Tourism, Colgate, TATA Motors, H&M, Vodafone, Nerolac, and many others. Her expertise spans across both corporate and IP sales, making her a valuable addition to any team or organization.
Legends League Cricket co-founder and CEO Raman Raheja said, “At Legends League Cricket we believe in pushing boundaries, exceeding expectations & redefining the brand partnerships. We have set some good standards of brand partnerships during our previous seasons. With a resolute commitment to take the league to unprecedented heights and surpass all our prior achievements, we are excited to have Sheetal onboard with us and are looking forward to collectively achieving our goals.”
Devgan said, “I eagerly embrace the challenge of living up to the league’s promises and expectations. As a devoted cricket fan myself, I am excited about embarking on this new journey and contributing fresh perspectives and values to the cricketing world.”
In line with Legend League Cricket’s continuous expansion and quest for excellence, the addition of Devgan to their team signifies a bright future for the organization. With the forthcoming season set to enthral cricket fans, Legends League Cricket is poised to raise the bar for cricketing events, making it a must-watch spectacle on the sporting calendar.
Mumbai: News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA) is deeply anguished and concerned by the decision taken by the I.N.D.I.A. Media Committee not to send their representatives on the shows and events hosted by certain journalists/anchors. The decision taken by the I.N.D.I.A. Media Committee sets a dangerous precedent.
The ban on representatives of the opposition alliance from participating in TV news shows anchored by some of India’s top TV news personalities goes against the ethos of democracy. It betokens intolerance and imperils press freedom.
The opposition alliance claims to be the champion of pluralism and a free press, but its decision betrays callous disregard for democracy’s most fundamental tenet – the inalienable right to openly express ideas and opinions.
The boycott of certain journalists/anchors takes the nation back to the Emergency era, when the press was gagged, and independent opinions and voices were crushed.
NBDA urges the opposition alliance to withdraw its decision of boycotting certain journalists and anchors as such a decision would amount to browbeating journalists and stifling freedom of speech and expression of the media.
Mumbai: 93.5 RED FM, India’s leading private radio and entertainment network’s event ‘South Side Story Season 5’ in Mumbai, the edition proved to be a tremendous success. The event held at Richardson & Cruddas, Byculla witnessed an incredible turnout, with music lovers braving the rain to be a part of this unforgettable experience.
South Side Story Season 5 featured exceptional performances by Aattam Kalasamithi ft The Theikkinkaadu Band, Maalavika Sundar, Sean Roldan & Friends, Arivu, Agam, and Thaikkudam Bridge. Beyond the captivating music, attendees had the opportunity to indulge in a sumptuous spread of Sadhya and other South Indian delicacies, and refreshing beverages.
In light of the tremendous success of the Mumbai Edition, Red FM, the next stop in Delhi for the musical journey. South Side Story Season 5 – Delhi Edition is set to take place on 16 September 2023, at the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. This edition promises a unique blend of hip-hop, rap artists, and playback singers and composers like Thirumali, Arivu, Humankind, All OK, Neeraj Madhav & Sithara’s Project Malabaricus who will take the stage to deliver unforgettable performances. The Delhi edition will be headlined by Karthik.
Indiantelevision.com in conversation with RED FM, and Magic FM director & COO Nisha Narayanan on the journey of South Side Story, the artists and advertisers response and much more…….
Edited excerpts
On the fifth season of South Side Story, your feelings and your expectations for this season
Over the years and in previous editions of South Side Story, we have received an overwhelmingly positive response from our audience. It is our humble effort to bring the south of India to the metros. We believe it is our responsibility to continue bringing the best out of regional spaces. This year too, our vision has been to get the spirit of inclusion and diversity, with all the flavours of South India to the North and West, primarily through music. Listeners from both Delhi and Mumbai have validated our efforts by embracing the need gap of regional music consumption in the cities.
We recently concluded one edition in Mumbai on September 2nd, and we are deeply touched by the immense love the city has shown us, even amidst heavy rainfall on the day of the event. We anticipated (Mumbai edition) and are anticipating (Delhi Edition) a fantastic gathering of music enthusiasts coming together under one roof to sing, dance, and soak in the vibrant spirit of South India in their own city. Our commitment has always been to create an immersive festival experience for our listeners.
On how the earlier four seasons delivered for RedFM
As a NAT-local brand, we never neglect the cultural or local ethos. This commitment inspired the inception of our concept five years ago, where we recognized the importance of introducing regional music to the metros. South Side Story represents our humble endeavor to showcase independent music created in various South Indian languages such as Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and more.
We invest in a number of community-building initiatives and IP. Due to COVID-19, we moved South Side Story online for two years. Last year, we held it in Delhi and the response was so positive that we decided to bring back the festival in Mumbai this year.
The name South Side Story encompasses the whole South Indian experience in three words. It echoes a sense of belonging to the ones whose roots lie down south, while creating an intrigue for those who wish to be a part of the culture. The intent was to create a simple name which retains top of mind recall, while also striking a chord with the younger generation. A story gives the listener an infinite scope of imagination, and likewise this festival also has infinite possibilities, flavors, colors and melodies.
We embarked on this journey with two bands,Thaikkudam Bridge and Agam the Band. However, the overwhelming response led us to include more talented artists. As a result, this season of the festival features a total of 12 artists in Mumbai and Delhi, including the two bands that have been a part for all five seasons i.e Agam and Thaikkudam Bridge
Sometimes, an IP gains popularity simply because it has been around for a while. For instance, if Dugga Dugga (an experiential festival that celebrates Kolkata’s iconic Durga Puja through music) continues for a few more years, it will likely reach the same scale as South Side Story. We embrace and celebrate all cultures, striving to be an inclusive brand that brings people together.
On the selection of artists for the South Side Story
Over the years of hosting South Side Story, we’ve consistently received suggestions as soon as each edition concludes. The overwhelming love and affection from our audience inspires us to explore and extend opportunities to artists and musicians beyond their regional cities.
On advertisers’ interest in an event like this
A wide range of brands from various sectors, including automobile, BFSI and FMCG have been supporting us through multiple IPs that we do through the year. What sets South Side Story apart is its inclusive audience that lacks age restrictions making it an attractive advertising platform. For this year, we have Acko Insurance as the Title Partner and Bank of Maharashtra, Himalaya Wellness Co. (Rumalaya) and ENO as associate partners to name a few.
Mumbai: Ahead of the 19 Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, official broadcasters, Sony Sports Network, have launched the grandest campaign in the history of the Asian Games in India. In order to ensure that the message ‘Iss Baar Sau Paar, Phir se, Hum Hongey Kamyab’ resonates across every corner of India, Sony Sports Network has garnered support from an impressive line-up of influential and iconic figures such as the union minister of sports, Anurag Thakur, chief of defence staff, Lt Gen Anil Chauhan along with chiefs of tri-services Gen Manoj Pandey, Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar and air chief marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari who have put their might behind the Indian athletes vying for top honours at the prestigious multi-sporting event.
Recognising the power of collective ambition, the campaign shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes of Indian sports – those who have relentlessly dedicated themselves to their respective disciplines and are on the precipice of donning the national colours at this esteemed multi-sport event. Among the prominent influencers of the country who have joined the broadcaster’s mission and shared their messages for the participating athletes to reach higher echelons in this edition of the quadrennial extravaganza are Amitabh Bachchan, Sudha Murty, Aamir Khan, Hema Malini, Madhuri Dixit, Aditya Roy Kapoor, John Abraham, Abhishek Bachchan, Kapil Sharma Mirabai Chanu, Zaheer Khan, Anju Bobby George, Raja Randhir Singh and many more. Also joining the broadcaster, was an all-star lineup of Indian sports journalists who have been covering the journeys of our sporting heroes from Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhaskar, Rajasthan Patrika, The Telegraph, Deccan Chronicle, Dinakaran, Lokmat, Eenadu, Gujarat Samachar, Sandesh, Asomya Pratidin, Sportskeeda along with RJs from Radio City and Radio One and representatives from leading news channels Aaj Tak and NDTV 24X7.
This vast consortium unites with a singular purpose: to challenge Indian athletes to transcend past records, push boundaries, and ignite a nationwide fervour for sports. The strategy stands clear: a united India, cheering in unison, can inspire its athletes to unprecedented heights.
The hon’ble Anurag Singh Thakur shares a special message for our athletes | Asian Games –
A special message from Gen. Anil Chauhan, chief of defence staff, Indian Armed Forces | Asian Games –
Indian Army chief’s passionate call: Rally behind our athletes at Asian Games 2023 –
Best wishes from the IAF chief marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari | 19 Asian Games | Sony Sports Network –
India’s biggest stars unite for team India at the 19 Asian Games –
Amitabh Bachchan shares a special message for Indian Athletes | Asian Games | Sony Sports Network –
Aamir Khan joins the #GrandestAsianGamesCampaign | Sony Sports Network –
Mirabai Chanu Hai Zidd Par Sawar | 19 Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 | Sony Sports Network –
Journalists across India come together to wish Indian Athletes | 19 Asian Games –
Sony Sports Network’s ‘Iss Baar Sau Paar, Phir se, Hum Hongey Kamyab’ campaign is the grandest campaign ever made in the history of the Asian Games in India. The campaign has attracted a host of sponsors such as Hyundai, JSW, Limca Sportz, Paisabazaar, LIC of India, Ultratech Cement, State Bank of India, and Panasonic amongst others and more brands are expected to be announced by the time the Asian Games begin on 23 September 2023.
Comments:
Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer – distribution & international business and head – sports business Rajesh Kaul:
“The Asian Games is one of the grandest stages in the sporting world of Asia and the Indian contingent is training hard to add to our medal count. It’s a moment of national pride as we have stalwarts from every walk of life joining us for the campaign to rally behind our Indian athletes making this the grandest campaign ever for the Asian Games. Adding to that, we have also received great support from our sponsors who will surely benefit from the strategic partnership with Sony Sports Network for the Asian Games.”
Sony Pictures Networks India head Ad sales, network channels, Sandeep Mehrotra:
“Over the years, multi-sporting events have attracted significant viewer interest and we have done well to tap into the immense potential of non-cricket sports in India. Brands want to associate with content that is not only culturally relevant but also inspirational and evokes national pride. The 19 Asian Games on Sony Sports Network will provide advertisers with the ideal platform to communicate their message to a wide demographic of receptive viewers from across the country through innovative advertising solutions. We are thrilled to witness a tremendous response for the upcoming 19th Asian Games with advertiser interest from across categories like Automobiles, BFSI, Beverage, consumer durables and others.”
Hyundai Motor India Ltd AVP & head of marketingVirat Khullar:
“Hyundai’s partnership with Sony Sports Network for the Asian Games signifies a strategic commitment that extends beyond the world of sports in India. Sport serves as a formidable catalyst, fostering performance, personal growth, teamwork, and discipline among our youth. By investing in events like the Asian Games, Hyundai not only promotes youth participation but also ignites their aspirations, encouraging them to dream big and realize their full potential. This initiative is one of many in Hyundai’s sports portfolio, aligned with our overarching mission of enriching vibrant and healthy communities.
Our strategic alliance with sports nurtures talent and resonates with Hyundai’s global vision of ‘Progress for Humanity.’ In this endeavour, Hyundai goes beyond manufacturing cars; we actively contribute to the construction and promotion of a brighter future for youth through the transformative power of sports.”
We are delighted to associate with Sony Sports Network for the 19th Asian Games, the biggest stage for sports in the continent. At Paisabazaar, we have always believed in leveraging the power of sports to take our brand to each and every household across towns and cities in India. Our association with the Asian Games is also in line with our commitment towards promoting sports and encouraging athletes across the country. This year’s Asian Games promises to be bigger and better with a record participation by the Indian contingent. We are firm believers in a long-term partnership with our media partners and with Sony Sports Network, Once again, we aim to leverage the power of the broadcaster’s customised solutions for this marquee event. Paisabazaar wishes the entire Indian contingent all the best for the Games.”
The 19 Asian Games will also see a first-ever appearance for the Indian cricket teams at the Asian Games with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Smriti Mandhana headlining the teams. Olympic Gold medallist Neeraj Chopra will be one of India’s top medal hopefuls in the Javelin throw followed by PV Sindhu, HS Prannoy, and the doubles duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty who have been in excellent form in recent months and are strong contenders for medals in badminton. In addition to these athletes, the runners, archers, Indian rugby, hockey and football teams, swimmers, bridge, and chess teams, amongst others, will also be competing to add to the medal tally. All these athletes will be giving their best to help India achieve its goal of the 100 medal tally for the 19 edition of the quadrennial event.
Sony Sports Network has launched the grandest campaign ever for the 19th Asian Games which features eminent personalities such as Union Minister of Sports, Shri Anurag Thakur, Chiefs of the tri-services and Defence Staff from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force along with Bollywood Icons Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Hema Malini, Madhuri Dixit, John Abraham along with Sports Icons Mirabai Chanu, Zaheer Khan, Anju Bobby George, Raja Randhir Singh and so many more. Sony Sports Network also announces the great advertiser interest and the brands onboarded for the prestigious multi-sporting event that starts next week.
Watch the 19 Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 – LIVE on Sony Sports Ten 2 & Sony Sports Ten 2 HD, Sony Sports Ten 5 & Sony Sports Ten 5 HD channels from 5:30 pm IST, 23rd September, 2023.
Mumbai: Evergent, the customer management and monetisation leader for streaming and D2C sports businesses, has announced the launch of its new Sports Accelerator package, a suite of features designed to optimise monetization of live event programming for sports OTT providers. Evergent’s Sports Accelerator addresses the most challenging aspects of subscription management and monetisation for sports programming, including reducing churn between professional sports seasons, navigating couch rights and blackout restrictions, and supporting channel sales and global payment processing. The new package builds on Evergent’s existing relationships and experience with sports media leaders including the National Basketball Association (NBA), YES Network, Bally Sports, MSG Network, and Marquee Sports.
Live sports programming is consistently one of the most popular television genres in the United States and throughout the world and it has only become more popular of late, as viewers are left with fewer original content choices due to the ongoing actors and writers strikes. Over the past year, streaming providers have also invested heavily in live sports programming, with major U.S. sports leagues including the NHL, MLB, and MLS broadcasting some games exclusively on platforms including Apple TV+, YouTube TV, and Amazon Prime.
The new Sports Accelerator package from Evergent is purpose-built to address the seasonal, location-specific nature of live sports programming. Evergent’s seasonal subscription feature allows customers to retain subscribers across season boundaries while aligning those subscriptions to season validity dates. Additional benefits of the feature include price grandfathering across seasons to help reduce churn that would otherwise take place after a major event like the Super Bowl or NBA Finals.
In addition to seasonal subscription management, Evergent’s Sports Accelerator package also includes the following features designed to improve monetization and subscriber retention:
● Couch Rights: Evergent’s couch rights feature allows RSNs to seamlessly remain compliant with complicated geofencing rules and blackout restrictions. Evergent allows RSNs to establish and enforce couch rights for subscribers traveling beyond the RSN’s broadcasting boundaries, allowing subscribers to enjoy their subscription content while away from home.
● Subscription Pause and Resume: Evergent’s flexible subscription management tools allow end users to pause their subscription for any reason, minimising the number of subscribers who churn without returning to the platform. This customer-friendly feature allows streaming companies to avoid the high costs of customer reacquisition.
● Channel Sales Manager: With Evergent, media providers can sell tickets and subscriptions through a variety of channels, including the teams themselves. Media companies can create and issue coupons or vouchers through the Evergent platform, allowing them to enable, manage and track coupon use across channels in a single platform.
● Favourite Teams/Players: This feature allows media companies to capture information on the subscriber’s favourite teams or players during the sign-up process, providing valuable data for personalised experiences and upselling opportunities.
Sports media customers use these tools for customer relationship management and monetization to overcome the challenges specific to their industry. Customers such as the NBA to deploy the seasonal subscription feature to increase customer retention. Regional sports networks (RSNs) including Bally Sports use Evergent’s couch rights feature to maintain compliance with geofencing and blackout restrictions.
“The live sports media landscape is changing, and it’s clear that media companies can no longer rely on the same playbook,” said Evergent CEO & founder Vijay Sajja. “Our new Sports Accelerator package was built with the fan in mind, simultaneously improving the user experience and reducing customer churn. We will continue to hone these features as we learn from our partnerships with some of the leading entities in sports media.”
