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Category: Sports

  • IPL Impression: Sony Six & ESPN double, Ten1 & 2 halve

    MUMBAI: Sony ESPN climbed from the fourth to the second spot in BARC week 15 primarily owing to the telecast of Vivo IPL 10 matches. IPL 10 recently catapulted Sony Max to the second place across television genres according to BARC week 14 ratings.

    While Sony Six retained its leadership position riding pillion on the top-ranking Sunrisers Hyderabad-Mumbai Indians and other matches, Ten1 and Ten2 dropped to the third and fourth positions, respectively.

    The Indian Premier League has helped Sony Pictures Network India channels rake in the ratings during each of the seasons that that the network has purchased rights to beam the cricketing bonanza event to Indian homes for.

    In BARC week 15, Sony Six maintained its reign with 458932 Impressions (000s) as compared to last BARC week’s 222752 Impressions followed by Sony ESPN with 114119 Impressions (000s) (as compared to 42632 Impressions). Ten1 and Ten2 slipped with 71663 Impressions (000s) as compared to last week’s 146639 Impressions and 24766 Impressions (000s) as compared to last week 53495 Impressions, respectively.

    With no main sporting event currently being aired on the channel, Star Sports 3 survived at the bottom of the table with 22125 Impressions (000s) as compared to last BARC week’s 34195 Impressions.

    The mega cricketing event has also pushed Sony Max to the pole position in the Hindi Movies, Hindi Movies Rural and Hindi Movies Urban genres.

    Three channels from Network 18 (Viacom 18), two each from SPN, the Sun Network and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zeel) and one channel from Star India made it to the top 10 most watched channels across genres list for week 14.

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  • IPL 2017: The Piracy Conundrum

    MUMBAI: That the Indian Premier League has become one of the most valuable sports properties globally is a well-documented fact. The audience in India stays glued to its sets late into the night watching action between the various teams. Ditto with the audience in the UK, US, West Indies, Australia (where matches are watched in the wee hours of the morning).

    And, even though the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has assigned the telecast rights for fat sums to broadcasters and streaming platforms in India and almost every major nation, the fact remains that piracy continues to dog the telecast of the IPL as well as most other major sport tournaments.

    Anti-piracy UK-based company Friends MTS kept a tab on the first weekend (7-9 April) of the ongoing IPL 2017 tournament. And, alarmingly, it discovered that more than 1,700 unique URLs were telecasting IPL — illegally. It also detected more than 211 unique servers, 122 pirate streams, 51 hosting sites,  and 23 infrastructure providers serving the 1,700 unique URLs.

    To top it all, while one of the streams was delivering at 1080p, at least 16 of them were being delivered at 720p and 37 of them at 360p. While the first two could offer a near-HD experience on HD sets, the 360p streams could have been watched on tablets, phones and even SD sets comfortably.

    Amongst the top infringing sites that turned up in the Friends MTS test trace: cast4u.tv, jazztv.co,  04stream.com,  darksideiptv.com, 80.82.77.77, 89.248.168.91,  51.255.74.170, aliez-player.gcdn.co,  fblive-a.akamaihd.net,  globiptv.com,  lightspeed.sytes.net , root-iptv.is-found.org, tv2iptv.com and webtv.ws.

    Friends MTS executive vice-president global sales and marketing Paul Hastings says that piracy is bleeding the legitimate pay TV industry which has coughed up top dollar for the IPL rights. “These folks who are watching the IPL streams online on illegal sites or on IPTV platforms are avoiding paying the subscription fees to those who are telecasting legitimately. And this incidence is only rising,” says he.

    His company has been working with satellite platform Sky in the UK and has embedded its ASiD security solution in nearly 10 million STBs.  ASiD uses a sophisticated but lightweight watermarking technology, coupled with Friends MTS’ global monitoring platform, to identify originating subscriber accounts that are being used to retransmit live channels and events.  The technology can be implemented without any changes to the video delivery infrastructure, and enables accounts to be identified and video access blocked within just minutes.

    According to Paul, with sporting rights costs escalating, sports associations and bodies and broadcasters will perforce have to keep a strict watch on economic leakages by pirates in order to get the true value for the content.

    Points out pay TV technology firm Castle Media executive director Vynsley Fernandes: “Finding potential illegal streams on the internet has been the crusade of most CAS/DRM providers and, with advanced techniques in forensic watermarking services, which can identify the source of an illegal stream in under five minutes, it is now being perfected to a fine art. Though, there are no absolute safeguards against a potential illegal streamer posting stream URLs on the internet, there are now excellent ones in finding the offender.”

    Fernandes is assisting MTS Friends as it looks at providing security solutions to India’s bubbling with potential pay TV and streaming services segment.

    “Pay TV, streaming and telco (via video) ARPUs in India can go up if piracy is checked,” says he. “If platforms and broadcasters realize more revenues they will be more open to paying higher fees to acquire rights for the various sports – like cricket, football, kabaddi –  that have established themselves  in the country as well as new sports that are emerging. It will lead to the development of a healthy sports broadcast and overall sports ecosystem.”

    Says a media observer: “In India, Sony Pictures Networks’ India is celebrating its 10th and possibly final year of telecasting the IPL as the new auctioning process for the next five years is on the anvil. Additionally, Hotstar.com has the digital streaming rights. Whoever bags the rights when the bidding ends later this year, will have to ensure every revenue leakage is blocked as the tussle to acquire the IPL is going to send prices to stratospheric heights never seen before. My bet is that the IPL could end up being the most valuable televised sports property ever.”

    Says another tech consultant: “Monetisation is going to be crucial. Hence, the BCCI, the new rights owners and platforms will have to keep a track and block every pirated signal. In India, a lot of the viewing is going to be on the mobile, and that is where a low-pixel signal — from a pirate — can be watched reasonably clearly.”

    As they say, when the stakes are high, you cannot afford to leave any corner uncovered.

    Also Read

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  • Champions Trophy from 1 June: ICC reveals broadcast plans, supported by Sunset+Vine & NEP

    MUMBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a stellar line-up of commentators as well as detailed broadcast production plans, which for the first time in cricket, include Player Tracking for the ICC Champions Trophy to be held in England and Wales from 1 to 18 June. ICC TV will produce live coverage of all 15 matches, supported by production partner Sunset+Vine and equipment partner NEP Broadcast Solutions.

    Former captains — Ricky Ponting of Australia, Brendon McCullum of New Zealand, Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka and Graeme Smith of South Africa will be making their ICC TV debut. Other big names who will commentate through the tournament include Sourav Ganguly, Shane Warne, Michael Slater, Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton, Shaun Pollock, Sanjay Manjrekar, Ian Bishop, Ramiz Raja, Simon Doull and Athar Ali Khan.

    Ponting said: “Winning it (the trophy) on two occasions was a big thrill. This year I’m really looking forward to it being staged in England and being a part of the commentary team. “I’m expecting Australia and England to make the final with Pat Cummins and Jason Roy, two guys to stand out across the two weeks. I can’t wait!”

    McCullum said: “At the Champions Trophy, each team will be desperate to do well and put their stamp on the 50-over game. “To now be in the commentary box for such a prestigious tournament is something I am really looking forward to. Working with names like Ponting, Ganguly and Smith is going to be great fun and hopefully we can give the viewers a unique insight on the action unfolding out in the middle.”

    Smith said: “The trophy is a great tournament where every team has a chance to do well. I am sure there will be a few surprises and many memorable performances, so there’s a lot to look forward to!”

    Sangakkara said: “The trophy is a special tournament which I loved playing in and am honoured to have enjoyed success in. Most of the teams have a chance of lifting the trophy so it promises to be a fascinating three weeks of action.”

    The eight-team tournament, which kicks off with host England playing Bangladesh at The Oval on 1 June, will see a state-of-the-art coverage which will include 34 cameras at every game, including eight ultra-motion Hawk-Eye cameras, front and reverse view stump cameras and a Spidercam.

    In what is a first for cricket coverage, six Player Tracking cameras will be used in each match while the final at The Oval on 18 June will have additional pictures provided by a drone camera to supplement the broadcast coverage.

    Among other enhancements for the live coverage will be an Analysis Zone that will add depth to the coverage, bringing out details and nuances for the benefit of the audience. Regular broadcast tools such as the Hawk-Eye will be supplemented by an in-depth cricket data analytics system to be provided by analytics app Cricviz and a player tracking and real-time data visualization system made available by leading graphics company Chyron Hego.

    ICC Head of Media Rights, Broadcast and Digital Aarti Dabas said: “The ICC is committed to providing a world class broadcast that is credible, informative, engaging and attracts a global audience. Our team of 15 champion commentators will help tell the story and build heroes, connecting with the fans using relevant insights and broadcast innovations.”

    Scores and statistics, which are an important element of any cricket coverage, will be provided by sports graphics specialists Alston Elliott in a fresh new style and feel designed by creative design agency DixonBaxi.

    The coverage provided by ICC TV to broadcasters will commence 30 minutes before the start of play of each match and will include the live toss, the pitch report, player profiles and features looking ahead to the game.

    Programming will be produced for the innings break to ensure continuous and engrossing content that will keep the viewers hooked. Reviews of the first half of games and a preview of run chases will be inter-woven with a segment dedicated to the history and stars of the ICC Champions Trophy. Match telecasts will culminate with a crisp post-match show.

    ICC TV has also made arrangements to produce engaging and informative additional content, to be distributed to its broadcast partners and other media rights partners via the ICC TV Content Delivery Service. This content will include daily player profiles, team features, match previews and other behind the scenes content, getting fans up close and personal with all the action around the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.

  • Mixed Martial Arts: Neo Sports acquires broadcast rights for Asia’s largest event

    MUMBAI: Brave Combat Federation, Asia’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion founded under the patronage of Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa from Bahrain, is hosting its first MMA event in India on Sunday, 23 April, at Dome, NSCI in Mumbai.

    Neo Sports has acquired the broadcast rights for the event and the fights will be aired live between 8 pm to 10 pm. It will also be broadcast across 53 nations and streamed online live via bravefights.com. In addition to Neo Sports, the other partners for this event include Carnival Cinemas India (Multiplex & Publicity partner), Essence Transmedia (Event Partner), R City (Mall partner), Seven Hills Hospital (Medical Partner), Times of India (Media Partner) and Radio Mirchi (Radio Partner).

    Brave Combat Federation is the first global MMA promotion to organize an event in India. This is the fifth edition of Brave Combat Federation and the Brave 5 Fight card features renowned Indian and International athletes from 11 nations including Algeria, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, India, Mexico, Philippines, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. Algeria’s Tahar Hadbi and England’s Carl Booth will compete at the main event. Indo-Canadian Gurdarshan ‘Saint Lion’ Mangat is moving two weight classes to compete with Abdul ‘Cutman’ Muneer in the Featherweight division, which is the co-main event.

    The line-up also includes Indian athletes such as Mohammed Farhad, Goa’s Nelson Paes, IMMAF World Championship medallist Hardeep Rai, former Indian champion Bharat Khandare, and Indian MMA pioneer Chaitanya Gavali and international athletes such as Paulo Gonçalvez from Brazil, TUF Latin America contestant Alejandro Martinez, Bahrain’s pride Hamza Kooheji and former Middle Eastern champion Aziz Julaidan. Brave 5 will kick-off with the Weigh-ins and Open Workouts on April 22, which will be held at R-City Mall, Mumbai 6 PM onwards. The event will be attended by key dignitaries including His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and prominent Bollywood celebrities.

  • WWT partners with DLCA for ‘Pratibhashali 2017’

    MUMBAI: The World Wide Talent in association with Darren Lehmann cricket academy (DLCA) Australia is has announced Pratibhashali 2017 a nation-wide hunt for cricket talent for a rising star (age 12-17 years) and Rookie (age 18-25 years) under the guidance of Maninder Singh, former Indian Cricketer and Darren Lehmann, former Australian cricketer.

    The initiative is also supported by Paralympics Committee of India and the finals will be telecast on DD Sports.

    Pratibhashali is an initiative to promote grassroots cricket and identifying promising cricketing talent – best bowler and best batsman in each category. The trials will involve around 70 days of cricketing action spread across 5 states (Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi) and 18 cities under the aegis of the respective State Cricket Associations.

    The event kicks off from May 28, 2017. The 70 days trials will be conducted under the supervision of cricketing experts and former Indian cricket players. The entire program will be mentored by former Cricketer Maninder Singh and the finals will be held on 28, 29 and 30 July 2017. 44 successful individual will be selected during trials for finals in both the categories. 22 best players further will be selected for Grand Finale event. 2 most talented players will be announced after the finals in Rising Star and Rookie category.

    The teams and players performing will stand a chance to win prizes at each stage. Finals will be awarded with Car for Best Batsman and Bowler in Rookie category and a sponsored training trip to DLCA Australia under Rising Star category. The best coach and players in each format during trials will be presented with mobile phones, motor cycle, sports wrist watches and cricket kitbags.

    World Wide Talent chairman Vishal Uppal said, “Our purpose of getting into nation-wide cricket hunt is two-fold. On one hand, it helps identify and promote young talent and gives them a well charted path to make it big in sports; on the other hand it helps us get young children out into sports arenas and grounds. This initiative is unique in the sense that, other than the cricket itself, this also has components of coaching and exposure for youngsters to international cricket programs. We are confident that this tournament can emerge as a very powerful youth mobilization program.”

    Maninder Singh inserted, “With India’s vast population and geographical spread, it is not easy for talented players to find the right platform and emerge into the spotlight. Pratibhashali 2017 aspires to be that platform for every deserving cricketer so that great talent never goes unrecognized. These worthy initiatives enrich the broader community and naturally develop individual ambition. Also, DLCA association with this initiative underlines our commitment towards the development of cricket as we endeavour to unearth the best talent in the country and further enhance the skill sets of young players.”

  • IPL fever set to grip fans

    MUMBAI: The adventure of VIVO Indian Premier League season 10 is finally going to start today. To be telecast on Sony Pictures Network and streamed online on Hotstar (mobile and internet with a 5-minute delay) in the Indian subcontinent,  this is the 10th edition of IPL in which eight teams are participating and the cricket fans will be able to see players of different team playing in their respective teams.

    Today, at the beginning of the India’s most popular sporting event, the opening match will be played between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket stadium in Hyderabad.

    The eight captains of the 2017 VIVO IPL got together in Hyderabad for a formal meet and greet with the IPL match officials. They discussed different aspects of the game and the tournament that will be played over the course of the next 47 days. IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla joined everyone over teleconference and addressed certain issues and doubts.

    Later, all captains pledged their allegiance to the Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC) Spirit of Cricket campaign by signing the spirit of cricket bat. The skippers, one after another, trooped onto the stage as their names were called by former Indian skipper Ravi Shastri, who conducted this part of the event.

    A panel of elite commentators will be behind the microphone in the 2017 edition of the VIVO IPL bringing to life the colour and flavour of the tournament. As many as 20 commentators will be traveling across the country to lend their perspective on the game across 10 different venues. A few additions to the list along with a blend of veterans are bound to give the cricket loving fan a fine view point of the game from the technical and entertainment aspect.

    Hand in hand with its breakthrough 10th season, the Indian Premier League is set to re-activate its immensely popular Fan Park initiative for the third consecutive year. As befits the landmark 10th season of the IPL, the latest edition of the Fan Park promises to be bigger and better.

    Money generated from TV/media rights sale is divided into two shares. A) IPL share, B) Franchise Share.

    A) IPL Share: IPL will get 20% of the media rights money in the first two  years of IPL but set to reach 40% by 5th year onwards.

    B) Franchise Share: In the two years, 80% of total media rights money will be divided equally among all teams but it will be reduce to 60% by 5th year onwards.

    So the biggest source of revenue generation in IPL is “TV media rights sale”. Back in 2008 when Sony signed a record breaking 10 year deal with BCCI for IPL rights they agreed to pay $1.02 billion over the 10-year contract. Sony will be paying 10% of the total agreed amount ($100 million) every year till 2018.

    So of $100 million, $60 million is distributed equally among IPL teams every year while $40 million is kept by IPL governing body.

    The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had announced the fixtures of the League. The schedule has been designed with each team playing 14 matches – 7 of them at home venues.

    The season will also witness IPL returning to Indore for the first time since 2011. The final will be played at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium – on Sunday, May 21st, 2017.

    VIVO Indian Premier League 2017 fixtures

    1st Match – Sun Risers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL T20 2017

    Date- 05/04/2017
    Time – 20:00(Local) 
         		 Sun Risers Vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Venue
    Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium

    2nd Match – Rising Pune Supergiants vs Mumbai Indians IPL T20 2017

    Date- 06/04/2017
    Time – 20:00(Local) 
         		 Rising Pune Supergiants Vs Mumbai Indians

    Venue
    Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium

    3rd Match – Gujarat Lions vs Kolkata Knight Riders IPL T20 2017

    Date- 07/04/2017
    Time – 20:00(Local) 
         		 Gujarat Lions Vs Kolkata Knight Riders Venue
    Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium

    4th Match – Kings XI Punjab vs Rising Pune Supergiants IPL T20 2017

    Date- 08/04/2017
    Time – 16:00(Local) 
         		 Kings XI Punjab Vs Rising Pune Supergiants Venue
    Holkar Cricket Stadium

    5th Match – Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Daredevils IPL T20 2017

    Date- 08/04/2017
    Time – 20:00(Local) 
         		 Royal Challengers Bangalore Vs Delhi Daredevils Venue
    M. Chinnaswamy Stadium

    6th Match – Sun Risers Hyderabad vs Gujarat Lions IPL T20 2017

    Date- 09/04/2017
    Time – 16:00(Local) 
         		 Sun Risers Vs Gujarat Lions Venue
    Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium

    7th Match – Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders IPL T20 2017

    Date- 09/04/2017
    Time – 20:00(Local) 
         		 Mumbai Indians Vs Kolkata Knight Riders Venue
    Wankhede Stadium

    8th Match – Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL T20 2017

    Date- 10/04/2017
    Time – 20:00(Local) 
         		 Kings XI Punjab Vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Venue
    Holkar Cricket Stadium

    9th Match – Rising Pune Supergiants vs Delhi Daredevils IPL T20 2017

    Date- 11/04/2017
    Time – 20:00(Local) 
         		 Rising Pune Supergiants Vs Delhi Daredevils Venue
    Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium

    10th Match – Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL T20 2017

    Date- 12/04/2017
    Time – 20:00(Local) 
         		 Mumbai Indians Vs Sun Risers Venue
    Wankhede Stadium

     

  • Star Sports & McLaren-Honda to create exclusive content

    MUMBAI: Star Sports India has been unveiled as a Corporate Partner of McLaren-Honda as part of an agreement that will include the production of exclusive viewer content and fan competitions.

    Already a broadcasting innovator, Star Sports India has transformed sports coverage in its native country. The country’s leading sports network, Star Sports India engages audiences across ten dedicated sports channels (Star Sports 1, 2, 3, 4 and Star Sports HD1, HD2, HD3 and HD4 and Star Sports Select HD1 & HD2).

    Star Sports, as the exclusive broadcast partner of the FIA Formula One World Championship, plans to showcase the best-in-class Formula 1 experience on its Star Sports Select HD channels and continue to grow the sport’s fan base throughout India.

    The partnership will see McLaren-Honda and Star Sports India work together to create bespoke content, including exclusive interviews, for their TV and digital channels that will help bring viewers and fans even closer to the team and the global sport of Formula 1.

    As part of the agreement, viewers will have the opportunity to win an exciting range of prizes, including the chance to win a trip to join the team trackside at a grand prix race weekend, ride in a McLaren high-performance road car or meet the McLaren-Honda drivers.

    Star Sports India branding will be displayed prominently on the drivers’ overalls of McLaren-Honda teammates Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne throughout the season.

    Star Sports India is part of the Star India network which reaches around 650 million viewers every month and has been entertaining viewers for over 20 years. Boasting over 40 channels in eight languages, Star India is now one of India’s leading media forces, owns an entertainment channel portfolio that includes Star Gold, Channel V, Star World, Star Movies and Life OK. Star is a fully owned subsidiary of 20th Century Fox.

    As well as a leading presence in regional broadcasting, Star India also produces and distributes film content through Fox Star Studios, an affiliate joint venture company.

    McLaren Technology Group executive directo Zak Brown: “It’s always exciting to bring a new Partner onboard. I’ve had that feeling a few times in my career so far! With Star Sports India joining a brand as eponymous as McLaren the fit is as obvious as it is compelling. We are a sports and technology company – racers at heart, of course, and, therefore, innovators in everything we do. And talking to Star Sports India, we quickly discovered a similar innovative mind-set and shared passion for how we engage sports fans through great content. That’s why I’m really looking forward to working with the great team at Star Sports India and seeing what we can achieve together to bring fans even closer to the sport we love.”

    Commenting on the agreement, a Star India spokesperson said: “Star Sports India has always strived to build a multi-sport culture in the country and our strategic partnership with McLaren-Honda furthers this agenda. McLaren-Honda is one of the most successful teams in F1 history and their passion for technology and pushing the boundaries on innovation aligns with our mission here at Star Sports. Indian sports fans have always shown interest in engaging with multiple sports and this association will help viewers to closely engage with all the on ground action of Formula 1.

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  • Bonanza for IPL lovers from PIX Premiere League

    MUMBAI: This cricket season, Sony PIX, one of India’s leading Hollywood movie channel showcasing premieres and blockbuster films, gives you the chance to watch the matches up, close and personal with PIX Premiere League!

    Cricket and Movies – the two most loved things in India – will be celebrated in a unique way by Sony PIX this season. Get ready for PIX Premiere League – the only place that you will win match tickets while watching blockbuster films! Curious?

    Starting 5 April, watch the biggest blockbusters on Sony PIX at 11 pm and win match tickets in your city, by answering questions.

    PIX Premiere League will heighten the cricket fever with a line-up of some of the most amazing blockbuster movies like Spider-Man, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Anacondas: The Hunt For The Blood Orchid, Waterworld, The Mummy Returns, Jurassic Park 3, Slumdog Millionaire, and a lot more!

    Sony PIX, owned by Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited (SPN), has exclusive rights in India to premiere all Hollywood movies released worldwide by Sony Pictures and NBC Universal.

    With one blockbuster movie every day at 11pm, till May 21, you can win free match tickets every day (except Thursdays) by answering simple questions that appear during the telecast of the movie.

    So if Sachin’s cover drive gives you the same kick as Spiderman’s antics, Sony PIX is the channel you ought to be glued to this season – the only place you get the chance to watch the matches live.

  • VIVO IPL lines up global broadcasters

    MUMBAI: Indian Premier League, the premier Twenty20 competition in the world, has lined up the best global broadcasters in a bid to reach out to fans across the world.

    One of the marquee global sporting events, VIVO IPL 2017 will be played from 5 April to 21 May, 2017, and will be spread over 47 days across 10 venues. The T20 extravaganza with 60 matches will be available live across a bouquet of broadcast and streaming platforms. The coverage will be more extensive and more live games will be available for international viewers.

    In the Indian subcontinent, VIVO IPL 2017 will be broadcast on Sony Pictures Network. The VIVO IPL 2017 will be streamed online on Hotstar (mobile and internet with a 5-minute delay).

    VIVO IPL broadcasting TV channel and digital streaming list in various countries is as below:

    public://broadcast.jpg

     

     

  • Smith to lead Motorola-backed Rising Pune Supergiant, Ben Stokes on board

    MUMBAI: Heralding a new edition of Indian Premier League with renewed hope and vision in their second season, Rising Pune Supergiant, made a dashing entry into the 10th season of IPL, with their dynamic new Captain, Steve Smith and spirited middle order batsman Ajinkya Rahane by welcoming the new addition to the team, England all-rounder Ben Stokes, handing over team jersey in the presence of the team owner, RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group chairman Sanjiv Goenka.

    Goenka said, “I would like to congratulate the team’s think tank for putting up a good side for the upcoming season of IPL. I welcome Ben Stokes in our family. Steve Smith has performed well for last one year, his leadership inspires and will help the team work together as a unit.”

    The newest addition to the side English all-rounder, Ben Stokes said, “Playing for Rising Pune Supergiant is definitely going to be a high point of my career. This is a chance which I will work towards my team’s advantage with stalwarts like MS Dhoni, Faf du Plessis, Ravichandran Ashwin and Steve Smith, to learn and enjoy the games at the same time.’’

    India’s top order batsman who started his international career with Twenty20 International in the year 2011, Ajinkya Rahane happily spoke about his part in the team, “I am quite in sync with the team structure as this will be my second year with Rising Pune Supergiant. Our team is well balanced with a good mix of talent from both national and international players. Ben Stokes is one of the most talented all-rounder’s in the world and we hope to get good support from him. Imran Tahir’s inclusion is definitely going to strengthen our bowling department and will lend variety to the team.”

    After fantastic performance in recent India- Australia cricket series captain Steve Smith has been endowed with a new responsibility of leading the team in this edition of IPL. Leading Australia with his dynamic captaincy in all three formats of cricket since 2015 and ending 2016 successfully after topping the ICC rankings due to his high octane performances throughout the year Steve Smith was the best choice to captain the team who will bring in all his experiences playing for the Australian side.

    Steve Smith spoke about his new role, “My experience of playing in India has been wonderful so far. This year we also have a new member Ben Stokes with us who will balance experience and skill in right dose. High and orderly performance with good bowling, fielding and batting will be the benchmark for judging the team. We hope to make Pune proud with good cricket.”

    The team also announced Motorola as their Team Sponsor for the 10th edition of IPL which starts on 5 April 2017.

    The squad comprises star players M. S. Dhoni, Steve Smith, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane, Ben Stokes and Faf Du Plessis, supplemented by other Indian and foreign talent.

    Rising Pune Supergiant CEO Raghu Iyer said, “We are sure this association will be mutually beneficial for both companies.”

    Motorola Mobility India MD and Lenovo Mobile Group country head Sudhin Mathur, said “Rising Pune Supergiant and Motorola are a perfect fit. Both are challenger brands with a focus on breaking limitations to drive performance and innovation, as well as have a culture of being different for the sake of being better.”