ITV

Category: Sports

  • IPL gets 34 major brands on board this season

    IPL gets 34 major brands on board this season

    MUMBAI: Vivo IPL 2018 has already attracted a phenomenal bouquet of leading brands in the run up to the 11th edition of the T20 league. So far, as many as 34 brands have come on board the Star Network.

    Brands such as Jio, AMFI, Asian Paints, Berger Paints, Blue Star, Ceat Tyres, Crompton, Dollar, Domino’s, Ford, Haier, Luminous, Pidilite, Sleep Well, Vanessa, Vimal Pan Masala and Voltas have joined existing ones like Vivo, Colgate, Amul, Coca-Cola, Dream 11, Elica, Kent, MakeMyTrip, Parle Agro, Parle Products, Polycab and Vu TV, among others, to take the roster of brands for Vivo IPL 2018 to 34.

    Star Sports EVP and head of ad sales Anil Jayaraj says, “Brands are actively choosing Vivo IPL as the marketing vehicle to deliver their business ambitions in 2018 as they have a single media property which can appeal to demographics across geographies. All brands that have come in so far have chosen to up their investments significantly over past years and this is because of their belief in the delivery of the combined power of TV as well as digital. These brands will get to leverage the power of multiple screens, multiple languages and broaden their reach and engagement like never before.”

    Out of these, the co-presenting sponsors are Vivo, Coca-Cola and Jio and the associate sponsors are Polycab, Parle Products, AMFI, Make Amy Trip, Vimal Pan Masala and Asian Paints, Dream 11.

    While IPL has grown each year since its inception, Star India promises 2018 to be an inflection point in its history with its reimagining of the tournament making it deeply local with technology at the heart of the experience.

    For the first time, Vivo IPL 2018 proposes to connect with Indians in six various language-six different languages, Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Bengali. By leveraging the combined reach of digital and television, the tournament will be broadcast, for the first time ever, on multiple TV channels and live streamed on Hotstar with an aim to reach out to 700 million fans across TV and digital in India. 

    This will be one of the first few leagues in the world which proposes to use virtual reality and to bring live action from the stadium to fan homes. This immersive VR experience would make it possible for fans to come closer to the high-octane matches from the comfort of their homes. 

    Along with dedicated language feeds, the network also proposes to have a superfan feed available across cable, DTH and on Hotstar. This will be a curated feed for intense fans who want more than just to watch the game. It may also include features like multiple camera angle options while viewing and data layers about the teams and players during the telecast.

    Also Read:

    Dsport not in the running for BCCI’s media rights

    JSW acquires 50% stake in Delhi Daredevils

    IPL 2018: Team sponsorship deals may see an uptick

    Star unveils Re.Imagine Awards for IPL ad campaigns

  • Dsport not in the running for BCCI’s media rights

    Dsport not in the running for BCCI’s media rights

    MUMBAI: With just two weeks remaining for the BCCI rights to be out for grabs, the interest from broadcasters seems to have waned.

    According to a source at Discovery Communications, Dsport has not picked up the invitation to tender (ITT), which means the newest broadcast is likely not bidding. In an interview to Mint in December 2017, Discovery Communication India SVP and GM Karan Bajaj said that the network would focus on cricket on Dsport, after the launch of Discovery Jeet (launched on 12 February 2018).

    Interested bidders had to pick up the tender documents upon payment of Rs 6.80 lakh ($10,000).The last date for picking up the ITT was till 5 pm on 5 March 2018. The last date for submission of bids is 10 am on 27 March. The online auction will start at 2 pm the same day.

    Sony Pictures Network (SPN) India’s dependence has come down after having the rights of seven cricket boards out of the top 10 – Cricket Australia, England and Wales Cricket Board, Pakistan Cricket Board, Sri Lanka Cricket, Cricket South Africa, Cricket West Indies and Zimbabwe Cricket Board. 

    With IPL rights in its kitty, Star India also might skip the BCCI rights. It also has the rights of New Zealand Cricket for the next three years starting from 2017 end.

    The BCCI rights are being awarded for a five-year period beginning from April 2018 till March 2023. Interested parties can bid for three packages—global television rights plus rest of the world digital rights, digital rights for the Indian subcontinent and a global consolidated rights bid.

    For digital rights, players like Facebook, Twitter, Reliance Jio, Amazon Prime, Hotstar and Sony Liv will play a crucial role if they have picked up the documents. In the IPL media rights auction, Facebook, Reliance Jio and Airtel had bid over Rs 3000 crore each for the digital rights alone. 

    Though we don’t see the IPL frenzy for the upcoming rights, in the world of sports, spontaneity is everything and everyone is waiting for a surprise on 27 March 2018.

    Also Read :

    The year of big switch in sports broadcasting

    BCCI invites bids for e-auction of India rights

    Star and BCCI pull out all stops to make the VIVO IPL 2018 Retention event – an unprecedented success

     

  • ‘The future of Indian cricket is shining bright’

    ‘The future of Indian cricket is shining bright’

    Mumbai: Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly said that the transformation of the Indian cricket team began with players having confidence in their own abilities. “We were a bunch of talents but we did not know how to win Test cricket. That culture needed to change. India always had great batsmen, but we needed fast bowlers who could take 20 wickets,” he said.

    BCCI CEO Rahul Johri said that the cricket body’s job was to give the cricketers best infrastructure. “Based on the feedback received from them, we have ensured that when the Team goes to England this summer, they play the first after spending almost a month there,” he said.

    He also said that BCCI is planning a five-year-long calendar scheduling every tournament in advance. “So you will know which tournament is happening when in next five years,” he said.

    Recounting his success during the recent tour of South Africa, vice-captain of Indian cricket team Ajinkya Rahane said that the key to success was thinking that they were playing in home ground. “In Johannesburg, I had the opportunity to become and hero and I played with a lot of discipline,” he said.

    Sourav Ganguly had another explanation behind Rahane’s success. “He bats at no 5 in Test as I also did. Batting at no 5 and 6 in India is the most dangerous, but it’s the reverse outside the country. That’s the reason No 5 batsmen do well abroad,” said Ganguly.

    Captain of the Under 19 World Cup winning Indian team Prithvi Shaw said that he had miles to go and this was just a beginning of his career.

    Ganguly appreciated the BCCI’s decision to raise the match fee of the domestic cricketers from Rs 10,000 a day to Rs 35,000 and demanded that the fee must be raised further.

    “We are the best team in all formats. The central contract focuses on domestic cricket because that’s the bedrock of Indian cricket. Now players get their fee on match day and don’t have to wait for one and a half year,” said Johri.

    Rahane also praised his captain Virat Kohli and said that he did not want to change Virat’s aggression as it got the best out of him.

    Ganguly added that the domestic structure of Indian cricket has improved the quality of Indian team and it now has bowlers who can take 20 wickets. Shaw said that he would like to lift the senior world cup some day.

  • JSW acquires 50% stake in Delhi Daredevils

    JSW acquires 50% stake in Delhi Daredevils

    MUMBAI: Jindal South West (JSW) Group has acquired 50 per cent stake in Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Delhi Daredevils (DD) from GMR Group promoters. DD is owned by GMR Sports, which is under ambit of the GMR Group.

    JSW Sports will hold 50 per cent stake in GMR Sports. The sale is subject to approval from BCCI and satisfaction of other customary conditions precedent.

    JSW cement MD Parth Jindal said, “We are very happy to announce this new partnership with GMR. This is something that we, as a group, are excited about and the DD team will add to our existing portfolio of sports investments. We look forward to bring our experience and expertise to take the team to new heights.”

    GMR corporate chairman Kiran Kumar Gandhi said, “This relationship between GMR and JSW opens up powerful synergy going forward for both the groups. It is symbolic of the immense potential for sports and cricket in particular in the region. After having nurtured the franchise for the last 10 years, we believe the time is right for us to take it to newer heights. We believe JSW as a partner will bring significant value to the franchise with their wealth of diverse experience.”

    This is the second major deal in the history of IPL in which an existing franchise has offloaded stake. In 2009, Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty had picked up 11.7 per cent stake in IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals for $16.3 million. Kundra has since exited the IPL franchise after being banned for life from IPL for indulging in betting.

    Also Read:

    Star India bags production rights for IPL 2018

    IPL 2018 gets a makeover with Star India

  • NBA to broadcast primetime games in India for the first time

    NBA to broadcast primetime games in India for the first time

    MUMBAI; The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced the first-ever broadcasts of live NBA games in India during primetime.  From March 11 – April 8, 2018, the NBA will schedule a weekly game for live primetime broadcast in India every Sunday at 10:00 p.m. India Standard Time (IST) on SONY SIX, SONY SIX HD, SONY TEN 3 and SONY TEN 3 HD.  This builds on the league’s NBA Sundays campaign, a weekly live primetime game on Sunday evenings in Europe and Africa.

    The five games airing in India will feature some of the league’s biggest stars, including the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook and the Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid.  As part of the live broadcasts, the NBA and SONY SIX will host a series of pregame activities, fan events and viewing parties across Mumbai and Delhi.  Additionally, NBA Around the Hoop, a localized NBA wraparound studio show hosted by a panel of Indian basketball experts, will air around all five live games.

    “We are excited to bring primetime games to India for the first time to help meet the growing demand fans in India have for live NBA content,” said NBA India Managing Director Yannick Colaco.  “The NBA Sundays campaign is part of our continued commitment to customize exciting NBA content for local audiences, and fans in India will have access to a tremendous schedule of live games during primetime featuring some of the league’s top players.”

    “Providing primetime coverage of NBA games on Sony Pictures Sports Networks gives every basketball fan easy access to all the NBA action,” said Mr. Rajesh Kaul, President, Sports and Distribution Business, Sony Pictures Networks India.  “Our collaborative efforts with the NBA continue to help us engage with existing fans and develop new fans. We will strive to grow the NBA’s presence in India and expand its reach in the coming years.”

    Below please find the full schedule of the NBA Sundays games in India on SONY SIX, SONY SIX HD, SONY TEN 3, SONY TEN 3 HD:

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    This marks the fourth season of NBA Sundays, a weekly primetime game on Sunday evenings in Europe and Africa.  This season more than 25 regular-season and playoff games will be available to fans in Europe and Africa on Sundays during primetime.

    The NBA’s partnership with Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) began in the 2012-13 season and includes more than 500 English and Hindi games each season.  This season the NBA and SPN began broadcasting a package of nearly 100 live NBA games with Hindi commentary every weekend on Sony TEN 3 and Sony TEN 3 HD.

  • First Time voters football championship by rebels foundation and malleshwaram sports foundation held to create awareness about democracy & voting

    First Time voters football championship by rebels foundation and malleshwaram sports foundation held to create awareness about democracy & voting

    MUMBAI: The exclusive football championship for first-time voters, organised by Malleshwaram Sports Foundation and Rebels Foundation, was flagged off on Wednesday by Dr. C N Ashwath Narayan, MLA, Malleshwaram, Shri Manjunath Raju, Corporator – Ward 65, Kadu Malleshwaram and Mr. Chandan Shetty, Big Boss Kannada Winner.

    More than 250 first time voters are participating in the tournament that aims to create awareness about the importance of voting in upcoming elections, and increasing participation of first-time voters.

    More than 20 teams from various top colleges and football club across the city came together to participate in this tournament. The tournament will be conducted over 4 days.

    This event was an initiative by Ashwath Narayan, MLA and Manjunath, Corporator. After they witnessed the response for Bengaluru Youth Football Cup held in August, they wanted to organise a similar tournament. Football being a community driven sport and a sport that can create awareness among the masses, they decided to conduct this tournament to create the awareness amongst the youth who is voting for the first time.

    Speaking on the occasion, MLA, Malleshwaram, Dr. C.N. Ashwath Narayan said, “First time Voters football championship is a tournament that is being conducted to spread the awareness of the upcoming elections through football. Sport always has played a very big role in uniting communities across all sectors. We are conducting this tournament as a platform to empower more youth to get into team sports and also provide an outlet for talent of the thousands of footballers in the city. Malleshwaram sports foundation as always will continue to support sports and provide competing platforms for talented individuals.”

    Rebels Foundation, President, Ms. Kavya Ananth said, “It is encouraging for organisations like Rebels Foundation when we get the support from leaders to use sport as a platform to create any kind of awareness and bring people together. Through this we hope to get value that will be translated into empowering economically challenged children through sports which is our main cause. We are looking forward to witness some great competitions amongst the top football teams in the city.”

    Speaking on the occasion, Mr. G Manjunath Raju said, “It is our pleasure to be hosting the First Time Voters Football Championship for the youth of Bengaluru. In today’s dynamic world, the youth have the maximum opportunity to voice out and activate their rights. It is important to remind and encourage one of their most important rights, that is to choose the leaders of this country by exercising their Right to Vote. We hope that this tournament not only encourages the youth to get on the field and play the sport that they love, and also to play a role in being active citizens of our country.”

    Mr. Chandan Shetty also encouraged the participants to take active part in decision making and administration of the state, and lauded the tournament for its forethought.

    Participants and Audience appreciated the support of political leaders of the locality and celebrities like Chandan Shetty in generating awareness about importance of voting in First time voters Football Championship. They emphazised on the need of more such events in the city which will have a positive impact in upcoming elections.

  • Stakeholders highlight need for sports education

    Stakeholders highlight need for sports education

    MUMBAI: The Khelo India programme has been introduced to revive the sports culture in India by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The structure starts at the grass-roots level by building a strong framework for all sports played in our country and establishing India as a great sporting nation.

    It is no secret that the creative sector is the biggest investor in sports in India. Therefore, the question arises as to what policy framework should be adopted to turn India into an epicentre for investments in sports activities and content.

    In a sports-related session titled ‘Khelo India: India’s Sporting Transformation’ at the FICCI Frames 2018, panellists spoke about how India has improved its infrastructural facilities in the area of sports through annual properties like IPL where there are several work opportunities available.

    Transstadia founder and MD Udit Sheth said, “Sports infrastructure is a very broad term, we should really talk about how we use them for the benefit of the people. We need to educate kids that sports and education cannot be two different things; together they make people smarter.” International Institute of Sports founder and director and former cricketer Nilesh Kulkarni added that decision making about a career in sports becomes easier if there is proper education available about the different job options present in sports.

    Go play Sports LLP consultant Mayank Pande spoke of ways to encourage sports. He said, “If you look at India, 41 per cent of the total population is under the age of 20. To building a seamless structure of sports at the grassroots level, you need to build community-based programmes, a level above that comes the state infrastructure where comes the national circuit and above that, you need to build the iconic platforms that help in pulling the eyeballs. Vertical integration of these three platforms will help in building awareness.”

    LawNK managing partner Nandan Kamath said that the IPL has added to the existing cricket fever of the country and ended up filling the pockets of cricketers and packing stadiums to the brim. “It also started building a significant amount of interest in private stakeholders and now franchises came into play through IPL in India.”

    A lot of hopes rest on the introduction of the Khelo India programme. With the right structure put in place for the programme, the much-elusive sporting glory may finally be within the country’s grasp.  

  • JioTV bags exclusive digital rights to showcase tri-nation Nidahas Trophy in india

    JioTV bags exclusive digital rights to showcase tri-nation Nidahas Trophy in india

    MUMBAI: After bringing two back to back major global sporting events – Winter Olympics 2018 and EFL Cup (Carabao Cup Final) – for Indian digital consumers in recent weeks, JioTV, India’s leading Live TV App, today announced that it has acquired the exclusive India digital rights for the upcoming T20 cricket series Nidahas Trophy.

    Nidahas Trophy – a tri-nation T20 competition, will be played at Colombo from March 6 to 18, 2018 between host Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India.

    JioTV, which recently won the prestigious Global Mobile (GLOMO) Award 2018 for the “Best Mobile Video Content”, said that it is working with Sri Lankan Cricket to provide comprehensive coverage of the triangular series, enabling millions in India to access live and catch-up content on their mobile devices. The event coverage on JioTV will commence everyday at 6:25 pm from March 6-18.  It will include live and repeat telecast and highlight packages.

    Sri Lanka Cricket, Chief Operating Officer, Jerome Jayaratne said, “We are excited to partner with JioTV to bring in the action packed T20 series to Indian cricket fans, and look forward to connecting with the cricket consumers in the sub-continent.”

    Schedule for Nidahas Trophy

    March 6, 2018: Sri Lanka v India

    March 8, 2018: Bangladesh v India

    March 10, 2018: Sri Lanka v Bangladesh

    March 12, 2018: Sri Lanka v India

    March 14, 2018: Bangladesh v India

    March 16, 2018: Sri Lanka v Bangladesh

    March 18, 2018: FINAL

  • SPN bags ECB’s media rights for 5 years

    SPN bags ECB’s media rights for 5 years

    MUMBAI: In another major breakthrough, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has acquired exclusive media rights from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the Indian subcontinent for a five-year term. Millions of cricket fans across India now can watch men’s and women’s international matches, including Test matches, T20 Internationals and ODIs, played in England, the native origin of the sport.

    The new deal allows SPN to both televise and digitally broadcast a bunch of international matches played in the territory of ECB within the Indian subcontinent. Five Test matches, three ODIs and three T20 Internationals of upcoming India cricket tour of England will also be broadcast live.

    “The acquisition of the media rights of ECB for a five-year term, effective now through 2022, provides for some exciting cricket viewership. Cricket is a passion for most Indians and this term of ECB games includes three tours of the Indian cricket team which promises some thrilling cricket, the first of these coming close on the heels of the hugely exciting South Africa series. SPN will now be home to almost all international away series giving our fans a one-stop destination to view their favourite stars in action,” SPN managing director and CEO NP Singh said.

    “Today’s announcement means millions of cricket fans across the Indian subcontinent can follow their favourite team in action the next time they tour England – as well as enjoying access to iconic cricketing contests like next year’s Ashes,” ECB CEO Tom Harrison added.

    “It will also help further raise the global profile of the English game–giving both the England men’s and women’s teams valuable exposure in a part of the world where people are passionate about cricket and avid followers of the global game as well as their own national team.”

    With this acquisition, SPN’s exclusive cricket portfolio includes most of the major international cricket boards, namely, Cricket Australia, ECB, Pakistan Cricket Board, Sri Lanka Cricket, Cricket South Africa, Cricket West Indies and Zimbabwe Cricket Board.

    Earlier SPN acquired the exclusive media rights for all men’s international matches played in Australia as well as well as women’s international cricket played in the country. It even acquired the media rights of the newly introduced T10 Cricket League last year.

    Also Read:

    SPN India acquires TV, OTT rights for T10 Cricket League

    Sony India acquires Cricket Australia’s subcontinental media rights for six years

  • 2018: Formula E’s Year

    2018: Formula E’s Year

    MUMBAI: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez

    The Formula E Championship returns to Mexico City for the third consecutive year. Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is a 4.304 km race track which hosts a range of motor sports from F1 to NASCAR events. The circuit has an elevation of 2,285 m (7,500 ft) where the thin air causes difficulties for both the drivers and their cars. The circuit additionally options associate oval layout because of the inclusion of a flat turn that goes from the center of the main stretch to the beginning of the back stretch of circuit. Except for the Formula E race, all the races that take place at the oval track happen in counter-clockwise. Jérôme d’Ambrosio of the Dragon Racing won the first ever Formula E at the Mexican track.

    Renault E. DAMS

    The Renault E. DAMS was amongst the teams that were the part of the first ever Formula E championship and has been holding the leading position since the inception. Sébastien Buemi has started his Formula 1 career in 2009 with the Scuderia Toro Rosso and his Formula E career began in 2014 with the Renault E. DAMS. He was the runner-up in the inaugural season and champion in 2015-16, having claimed 23 wins. He has secured the second and third place at the Marrakesh race and the Santiago De Chile respectively but this star driver has not been able to win any race in the 2017-18 season. Buemi is now facing a tough competition from Mahindra Racing driver Felix Rosenqvist and Jean-Éric Vergne of the Techeetah Formula E team. The three-time first  position holder is currently ranked fifth on the charts.

    Time to step out from the shadow of Formula 1

    With their moto of bringing a green revolution in the world of motor racing, Formula E has come to a point where it is no longer referred to as the child of F1 or F1 lite. Formula E is indeed the new face of motor racing as it is challenging the old rituals and is coming up with an alternative to them. At the third season finale last year(2016-17) at Montreal, Formula E decided to not use grid girls and instead use ‘Grid kids’ and confirmed that it would continue the practice beyond that race. This new concept focuses on young and aspiring drivers that race in junior go-kart championships. It’s a great emotional experience for the kids to be on the starting grid next to the drivers and cars that they might drive one day. Recently F1 announced that it will no longer continue the practice of promotional models holding signs on the grid and would follow the steps of Formula E.

    The Millenial of Formula E Universe

    After 36 races, 20 drivers, 13 cities, ten teams, five continents, four years and one all-electric racing series, Formula E unvealed their much awaited Gen2 Car. Just days before the Santiago De Chile race, they put an end to all the speculations and released a video showcasing the specks of the all new electric supercar. Even though the car is not going to be used in any race during this season, the excitement is very high among the fans and the people related to the Formula E community. This new Design is to be used for the next three seasons and the charming car will make its competitive debut in the 2018/19 season of the series. The Gen2 with almost double the energy storage capacity and double the range of the current car will enable the teams and drivers to complete a full race at higher speeds without making a mid-race car swap. With all that, the Gen2 car is a clear proof of advancements in battery and electric motor technology achieved in the space of only four years which will eventually make its way into everyday electric road cars.