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Category: Sports

  • TV segment pulls up WWE Network despite lower revenue: Q3-16 OIBDA

    TV segment pulls up WWE Network despite lower revenue: Q3-16 OIBDA

    BENGALURU: Despite a 13.7 per cent decline in WWE’s Television segment of its Media Division revenue, the segment reported a 21.8 per cent (year-over-year) y-o-y growth in OIBDA (Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortisation) for the quarter ended 30 September 2016 (Q3-16, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding year-ago quarter.

    WWE reported revenues of $164.2 million in Q3-16, 1.2 per cent lower than $166.2 million in Q3-15. The company’s OIBDA in the current quarter at $24.5 million was 4.7 more than the $23.4 million in Q3-15. The company reported net income of $11.1 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $10.4 million, or $0.14 per
    diluted share, in the corresponding prior year quarter.

    WWE has four divisions – Media Division, Live Events, Consumer Products and WWE Studios. Its largest division is the Media Division which has four segments, the largest of which is Television, followed by the Network Segment. Digital Media and Home Entertainment Segments are the other two segments of the Media Division.

    Company Speak

    “During the quarter, we continued to effectively execute our content strategy, which has resulted in record revenues to-date in 2016 and increased consumption across our media platforms,” said WWE chairman & CEO Vince McMahon. “This growth illustrates meaningful progress against our long-term strategic plan and provides the foundation for achieving our 2017 financial objectives.”

    WWE Chief Strategy & Financial Officer George Barrio stated, “We achieved a 24 per cent increase in average paid subscribers to WWE Network  and generated profits that were within the range of our guidance. We expect continued year-over-year growth in subscribers and profits for the fourth quarter resulting in strong full year performance that is in-line with our previous business outlook.”

    Media Division

    The Media Division reported revenue of $110.4 million in the current quarter, which was 3.9 per cent lower y-o-y than $114.9 million. The Division’s OIBDA for the current quarter increased 9.2 per cent y-o-y to $53.3 million from $48.8 million.

    Television segment revenue declined to $56.3 million in Q3-16 from $65.2 million in Q3-15. The company attributes this decline to “contractual increases in key distribution agreements were more than offset by the prior year impact of WWE’s licensed reality series, Total Divas and Tough Enough. There were no scheduled airings of these programs in the third quarter 2016, while the prior year quarter reflected approximately $14 million in revenue from the fourth season of Total Divas  (13 episodes) and  Tough Enough  (8 episodes).’

    Television segment’s OIBDA in the current quarter was $32.4 million versus $26.6 million in Q3-15.

    Network Segment revenues, which include revenue generated by WWE Network and pay-per-view, increased 10 percent to $45.1 million.   WWE Network subscription revenue increased 18 per cent to $42.8 million from $36.4 million in the prior year quarter based on a 24 per cent year-over-year increase in average paid subscribers to 1.46 million says the company.

    WWE Network says that it had 1.44 million total paid subscribers at the end of the third quarter, which represented a 17 percent increase from September 30, 2015. WWE Network had 1.07 million U.S. paid subscribers and 373,000 international paid subscribers at quarter-end.

    Network segment OIBDA of $17.4 million was essentially unchanged from the prior year quarter ($17.7 million) as the growth in WWE Network subscription revenue was offset by increased programming expenses, including a $3.2 million allocation of certain expenses shared between the company’s Network and Television segments. A portion of the increase in Network programming expenses relates to the company’s previously communicated strategic investments.

    WWE Network content, including pay-per-views, original series, NXT Takeover, and specials has continued to drive viewer engagement. During the quarter, the company says it has introduced compelling new content for WWE Network, including NXT Takeover Brooklyn III,   Holy Foley!,   WWE Draft Center Live, and Cruiserweight Classic, a 10-week global tournament.  The company says it is on pace to add more than 300 hours of original content to the network’s featured programming in 2016, and more than 2,500 hours of archival content to  WWE Network, which would result in an on-demand library of over 7,000 hours at year-end 2016.

    Live events

    Live Event revenues increased 9.6 per cent to $28.6 million from $26.1 million primarily due to the staging of 5 additional international events.

    Consumer Products

    Revenues from Consumer Products decreased 3.6 per cent to $21.6 million as higher online sales of merchandise at the Company’s e-commerce sites were more than offset by a reduction in licensing revenue.  Licensing revenues decreased 21.7 percent to $9.0 million primarily due to a lower effective royalty rate for our franchise video game,WWE 2K16, and lower sales of toy products.

    WWE Studios

    Revenues from filmed entertainment increased to $2.5 million as compared to $1.7 million in the prior year quarter.  The increase in revenue was due to the performance and timing of results from the company’s portfolio of movies. During the quarter, WWE Studios released two feature films, Scooby Doo! and WWE: Curse of the Speed Demon and Interrogation.  WWE Studios OIBDA increased $1.8 million due, in part, to the increase in revenues, and agreed changes to the terms of distribution of a previously released film, which resulted in lower expenses.

  • TV segment pulls up WWE Network despite lower revenue: Q3-16 OIBDA

    TV segment pulls up WWE Network despite lower revenue: Q3-16 OIBDA

    BENGALURU: Despite a 13.7 per cent decline in WWE’s Television segment of its Media Division revenue, the segment reported a 21.8 per cent (year-over-year) y-o-y growth in OIBDA (Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortisation) for the quarter ended 30 September 2016 (Q3-16, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding year-ago quarter.

    WWE reported revenues of $164.2 million in Q3-16, 1.2 per cent lower than $166.2 million in Q3-15. The company’s OIBDA in the current quarter at $24.5 million was 4.7 more than the $23.4 million in Q3-15. The company reported net income of $11.1 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $10.4 million, or $0.14 per
    diluted share, in the corresponding prior year quarter.

    WWE has four divisions – Media Division, Live Events, Consumer Products and WWE Studios. Its largest division is the Media Division which has four segments, the largest of which is Television, followed by the Network Segment. Digital Media and Home Entertainment Segments are the other two segments of the Media Division.

    Company Speak

    “During the quarter, we continued to effectively execute our content strategy, which has resulted in record revenues to-date in 2016 and increased consumption across our media platforms,” said WWE chairman & CEO Vince McMahon. “This growth illustrates meaningful progress against our long-term strategic plan and provides the foundation for achieving our 2017 financial objectives.”

    WWE Chief Strategy & Financial Officer George Barrio stated, “We achieved a 24 per cent increase in average paid subscribers to WWE Network  and generated profits that were within the range of our guidance. We expect continued year-over-year growth in subscribers and profits for the fourth quarter resulting in strong full year performance that is in-line with our previous business outlook.”

    Media Division

    The Media Division reported revenue of $110.4 million in the current quarter, which was 3.9 per cent lower y-o-y than $114.9 million. The Division’s OIBDA for the current quarter increased 9.2 per cent y-o-y to $53.3 million from $48.8 million.

    Television segment revenue declined to $56.3 million in Q3-16 from $65.2 million in Q3-15. The company attributes this decline to “contractual increases in key distribution agreements were more than offset by the prior year impact of WWE’s licensed reality series, Total Divas and Tough Enough. There were no scheduled airings of these programs in the third quarter 2016, while the prior year quarter reflected approximately $14 million in revenue from the fourth season of Total Divas  (13 episodes) and  Tough Enough  (8 episodes).’

    Television segment’s OIBDA in the current quarter was $32.4 million versus $26.6 million in Q3-15.

    Network Segment revenues, which include revenue generated by WWE Network and pay-per-view, increased 10 percent to $45.1 million.   WWE Network subscription revenue increased 18 per cent to $42.8 million from $36.4 million in the prior year quarter based on a 24 per cent year-over-year increase in average paid subscribers to 1.46 million says the company.

    WWE Network says that it had 1.44 million total paid subscribers at the end of the third quarter, which represented a 17 percent increase from September 30, 2015. WWE Network had 1.07 million U.S. paid subscribers and 373,000 international paid subscribers at quarter-end.

    Network segment OIBDA of $17.4 million was essentially unchanged from the prior year quarter ($17.7 million) as the growth in WWE Network subscription revenue was offset by increased programming expenses, including a $3.2 million allocation of certain expenses shared between the company’s Network and Television segments. A portion of the increase in Network programming expenses relates to the company’s previously communicated strategic investments.

    WWE Network content, including pay-per-views, original series, NXT Takeover, and specials has continued to drive viewer engagement. During the quarter, the company says it has introduced compelling new content for WWE Network, including NXT Takeover Brooklyn III,   Holy Foley!,   WWE Draft Center Live, and Cruiserweight Classic, a 10-week global tournament.  The company says it is on pace to add more than 300 hours of original content to the network’s featured programming in 2016, and more than 2,500 hours of archival content to  WWE Network, which would result in an on-demand library of over 7,000 hours at year-end 2016.

    Live events

    Live Event revenues increased 9.6 per cent to $28.6 million from $26.1 million primarily due to the staging of 5 additional international events.

    Consumer Products

    Revenues from Consumer Products decreased 3.6 per cent to $21.6 million as higher online sales of merchandise at the Company’s e-commerce sites were more than offset by a reduction in licensing revenue.  Licensing revenues decreased 21.7 percent to $9.0 million primarily due to a lower effective royalty rate for our franchise video game,WWE 2K16, and lower sales of toy products.

    WWE Studios

    Revenues from filmed entertainment increased to $2.5 million as compared to $1.7 million in the prior year quarter.  The increase in revenue was due to the performance and timing of results from the company’s portfolio of movies. During the quarter, WWE Studios released two feature films, Scooby Doo! and WWE: Curse of the Speed Demon and Interrogation.  WWE Studios OIBDA increased $1.8 million due, in part, to the increase in revenues, and agreed changes to the terms of distribution of a previously released film, which resulted in lower expenses.

  • Cricketers Star in ‘Nayi Soch’ ODI jerseys

    Cricketers Star in ‘Nayi Soch’ ODI jerseys

    MUMBAI: Star India, in association with the BCCI, has turned the spotlight on women once again with their new campaign. Called “Nayi Soch,” the campaign sees Indian cricketers wearing their mother’s names on their jerseys. It has struck a deep chord with all sections of society making several wonder and hope if the team would wear their mother’s names on their jerseys for an actual match.

    To make a powerful statement, the Indian Cricket team will sport jerseys with their mother’s names on 29 October for the concluding ODI of the India-New Zealand series.

    This gesture will champion the cause of women in a country which is ranked 130th out of 155 nations in the world on gender equality (United Nations Human Development Report 2015). On this game day, the Indian cricket team will serve as ambassadors of new thinking and use the power and platform of sport to drive meaningful social change.

    “This is the first time in the world that a team jersey is being used so disruptively to power social change. Star Plus has taken an unprecedented leap in its Nayi Soch or new way of thinking. We compliment the BCCI and the Indian team for such a transformational collaboration,” said Star India chairman and CEO Uday Shankar.

    Shankar further added, “At Star, women have always been at the forefront of everything we do. This time around both BCCI and Star have put their strength together to highlight the cause of women in India. World over Sports has been a tremendous platform for advocacy of a range of social causes. The Indian cricketers sporting their mothers’ names make for a powerful and emotive statement and we are thankful to BCCI and the Indian Cricket team for partnering with us on this idea. It will support the voice of the emerging Indian woman and inspire millions to acknowledge and celebrate the identity and role of women in India.”

    The enormous popularity of the Indian cricket team and the fact that our cricketers serve as role models gives Team India the power for social change. Tapping into this capacity and marrying it with the high impact of television, the symbolic gesture of cricketers wearing their mothers’ names is sure to make the people of India sit up and challenge stereotypes that continue to hold back women today.

    BCCI president Lt. Anurag Thakur added, “Time and again women have proved their mettle and history has been the witness of their greatness. Once a woman becomes a mother, her entire life gets dedicated towards her children. She plays an equally or rather greater role in shaping the future of her children. With this initiative in collaboration with Star India – ‘Nayi Soch’, our endeavor is to honor each and every woman. The Indian team will be sporting their mother’s name on the jerseys for the fifth ODI against New Zealand with intent to thank all the mothers for their efforts and sacrifices.”

    Star Plus, through its content, has been associated with this movement and continues to push forward the Nayi Soch agenda for women.

    Also read:

    Star Plus salutes Moms through Dhoni, Kohli and Ajinkya in promos

  • Cricketers Star in ‘Nayi Soch’ ODI jerseys

    Cricketers Star in ‘Nayi Soch’ ODI jerseys

    MUMBAI: Star India, in association with the BCCI, has turned the spotlight on women once again with their new campaign. Called “Nayi Soch,” the campaign sees Indian cricketers wearing their mother’s names on their jerseys. It has struck a deep chord with all sections of society making several wonder and hope if the team would wear their mother’s names on their jerseys for an actual match.

    To make a powerful statement, the Indian Cricket team will sport jerseys with their mother’s names on 29 October for the concluding ODI of the India-New Zealand series.

    This gesture will champion the cause of women in a country which is ranked 130th out of 155 nations in the world on gender equality (United Nations Human Development Report 2015). On this game day, the Indian cricket team will serve as ambassadors of new thinking and use the power and platform of sport to drive meaningful social change.

    “This is the first time in the world that a team jersey is being used so disruptively to power social change. Star Plus has taken an unprecedented leap in its Nayi Soch or new way of thinking. We compliment the BCCI and the Indian team for such a transformational collaboration,” said Star India chairman and CEO Uday Shankar.

    Shankar further added, “At Star, women have always been at the forefront of everything we do. This time around both BCCI and Star have put their strength together to highlight the cause of women in India. World over Sports has been a tremendous platform for advocacy of a range of social causes. The Indian cricketers sporting their mothers’ names make for a powerful and emotive statement and we are thankful to BCCI and the Indian Cricket team for partnering with us on this idea. It will support the voice of the emerging Indian woman and inspire millions to acknowledge and celebrate the identity and role of women in India.”

    The enormous popularity of the Indian cricket team and the fact that our cricketers serve as role models gives Team India the power for social change. Tapping into this capacity and marrying it with the high impact of television, the symbolic gesture of cricketers wearing their mothers’ names is sure to make the people of India sit up and challenge stereotypes that continue to hold back women today.

    BCCI president Lt. Anurag Thakur added, “Time and again women have proved their mettle and history has been the witness of their greatness. Once a woman becomes a mother, her entire life gets dedicated towards her children. She plays an equally or rather greater role in shaping the future of her children. With this initiative in collaboration with Star India – ‘Nayi Soch’, our endeavor is to honor each and every woman. The Indian team will be sporting their mother’s name on the jerseys for the fifth ODI against New Zealand with intent to thank all the mothers for their efforts and sacrifices.”

    Star Plus, through its content, has been associated with this movement and continues to push forward the Nayi Soch agenda for women.

    Also read:

    Star Plus salutes Moms through Dhoni, Kohli and Ajinkya in promos

  • Sony Entertainment to broadcast American College Cricket

    Sony Entertainment to broadcast American College Cricket

    MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment Television Asia (SET Asia) has acquired the exclusive media rights for American College Cricket (ACC), and will be the official broadcast partner beginning the season of 2016, ACC stated in a press release. SET Asia will broadcast major match-ups including regional and national semi-final and final matches.

    President of American College Cricket Lloyd Jodah, announcing the new broadcast partnership arrangement, said, “It’s the right time, and Sony is the ideal Broadcast Partner for American College Cricket to go back on TV. Since March 2009, we’ve been setting the bar for cricket in America, and Sony’s experience in broadcasting major tournaments will ensure we take cricket in the USA to the next level. America & Canada will get to see the young talent representing well-known universities, which in addition to their educational reputations, are major brands in sports such as football, basketball, baseball, soccer and more. American College Cricket has created a new platform which, together with SET Asia will raise the stature of the game in North America significantly higher.”

    Across the US and Canada, there is a growing number of students who are ardent cricket fans. Many play at a local or regional level. ACC and SET Asia will provide opportunities for them to play the sport at a competitive, national level. With an ever-increasing interest in the game and growth in available resources, cricket in North America is now poised to exponentially expand its player and viewership base.

    Talking about the role of SET Asia, SVP International Business-Head of the Americas Jaideep Janakiram said, “SET Asia is developing relevant, localized content to cater to the preferences of youth in the United States. We believe cricket, played locally, will be a driver for success. We are excited about the partnership with ACC, not just broadcast rights but also the key role we play in amplifying the game in North America.”

  • Sony Entertainment to broadcast American College Cricket

    Sony Entertainment to broadcast American College Cricket

    MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment Television Asia (SET Asia) has acquired the exclusive media rights for American College Cricket (ACC), and will be the official broadcast partner beginning the season of 2016, ACC stated in a press release. SET Asia will broadcast major match-ups including regional and national semi-final and final matches.

    President of American College Cricket Lloyd Jodah, announcing the new broadcast partnership arrangement, said, “It’s the right time, and Sony is the ideal Broadcast Partner for American College Cricket to go back on TV. Since March 2009, we’ve been setting the bar for cricket in America, and Sony’s experience in broadcasting major tournaments will ensure we take cricket in the USA to the next level. America & Canada will get to see the young talent representing well-known universities, which in addition to their educational reputations, are major brands in sports such as football, basketball, baseball, soccer and more. American College Cricket has created a new platform which, together with SET Asia will raise the stature of the game in North America significantly higher.”

    Across the US and Canada, there is a growing number of students who are ardent cricket fans. Many play at a local or regional level. ACC and SET Asia will provide opportunities for them to play the sport at a competitive, national level. With an ever-increasing interest in the game and growth in available resources, cricket in North America is now poised to exponentially expand its player and viewership base.

    Talking about the role of SET Asia, SVP International Business-Head of the Americas Jaideep Janakiram said, “SET Asia is developing relevant, localized content to cater to the preferences of youth in the United States. We believe cricket, played locally, will be a driver for success. We are excited about the partnership with ACC, not just broadcast rights but also the key role we play in amplifying the game in North America.”

  • SPN India to broadcast Barclays ATP World Tour finals

    SPN India to broadcast Barclays ATP World Tour finals

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) will exclusively broadcast the upcoming ATP events in the month of November. The ATP 1000 Paris Masters will be aired live on Sony ESPN channels and will be streamed live on SonyLIV app and website. The ATP 1000 Paris Masters in Paris will begin on 31 October.

    The ATP events are the precursors to the much-awaited Barclays ATP world tour finals which will be held in London from 14-20 November. The world’s top eight qualified singles players and doubles teams will qualify to compete for the title of the season at the Barclays ATP world tour finals.

    Held at The O2 in London, the event will officially crown the 2016 ATP World Tour No.1.The 2016 ATP World Tour Finals will feature some of the greatest tennis players including names like Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka and the reigning Wimbledon champion, Andy Murray, among other. Rafael Nadal, John Isner and Tomas Berdych, among other will be some of the other players who will be seen throughout the tournament.

    With 62 tournaments in 31 countries, the ATP World Tour showcases the finest male athletes. The stars of the 2016 ATP World Tour will battle for prestigious titles and Emirates ATP Ranking points at ATP World Tour Masters 1000, 500, 250 events, as well as Grand Slams.

    Over the years, top ranked players like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have been seen sustaining the mark that they have created on the sport. It will be very interesting for fans to see the challengers like Kei Nishikori and Gael Monfils amongst others fight for the top spot.

    SPN’s broadcast of the ATP 500 and ATP 1000 Tour events reinforces its focus on tennis as one of the most followed sports in the world.Tennis fans in India can look forward to the rivalry between the world’s top ranked players and the contenders in one of the most prestigious men’s professional tennis on tour.

    The ATP 1000 Paris Masters will be telecast live and exclusive from 31 October to 6 November on Sony ESPN, Sony ESPN HD and SonyLIV (App & Website). Along with live streaming, SonyLIV will also be providing fans with a lot of exclusive video-on-demand (VOD) content like highlights, special moments, best points, best aces.

  • SPN India to broadcast Barclays ATP World Tour finals

    SPN India to broadcast Barclays ATP World Tour finals

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) will exclusively broadcast the upcoming ATP events in the month of November. The ATP 1000 Paris Masters will be aired live on Sony ESPN channels and will be streamed live on SonyLIV app and website. The ATP 1000 Paris Masters in Paris will begin on 31 October.

    The ATP events are the precursors to the much-awaited Barclays ATP world tour finals which will be held in London from 14-20 November. The world’s top eight qualified singles players and doubles teams will qualify to compete for the title of the season at the Barclays ATP world tour finals.

    Held at The O2 in London, the event will officially crown the 2016 ATP World Tour No.1.The 2016 ATP World Tour Finals will feature some of the greatest tennis players including names like Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka and the reigning Wimbledon champion, Andy Murray, among other. Rafael Nadal, John Isner and Tomas Berdych, among other will be some of the other players who will be seen throughout the tournament.

    With 62 tournaments in 31 countries, the ATP World Tour showcases the finest male athletes. The stars of the 2016 ATP World Tour will battle for prestigious titles and Emirates ATP Ranking points at ATP World Tour Masters 1000, 500, 250 events, as well as Grand Slams.

    Over the years, top ranked players like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have been seen sustaining the mark that they have created on the sport. It will be very interesting for fans to see the challengers like Kei Nishikori and Gael Monfils amongst others fight for the top spot.

    SPN’s broadcast of the ATP 500 and ATP 1000 Tour events reinforces its focus on tennis as one of the most followed sports in the world.Tennis fans in India can look forward to the rivalry between the world’s top ranked players and the contenders in one of the most prestigious men’s professional tennis on tour.

    The ATP 1000 Paris Masters will be telecast live and exclusive from 31 October to 6 November on Sony ESPN, Sony ESPN HD and SonyLIV (App & Website). Along with live streaming, SonyLIV will also be providing fans with a lot of exclusive video-on-demand (VOD) content like highlights, special moments, best points, best aces.

  • Sports Minister lauds b’casters, other stakeholders in promoting sports

    Sports Minister lauds b’casters, other stakeholders in promoting sports

    NEW DELHI: India’s Sports Minister Vijay Goel said on Wednesday that digital media broadcasting will play a critical role in bringing about change in sports broadcasting in India but broadcasters must also focus on how sports as a product is delivered to audiences in rural areas so as to popularise the culture of sports.

    Addressing the CII Big Picture Summit 2016 here, he said increasing penetration of internet, mobile devices and cheaper data services, especially in rural areas, will prove a game changer in this direction.

    Interacting with the panellists on a session on `Sports Broadcasting in India: A Game Changer’, which meandered most of its time period all over the place despite having good representation from various segments of sports broadcasting and marketing, the Sports Minister said media has helped promote sports in the country and has also given a fillip to less popular sports like kabaddi.

    A majority of sports leagues have been made possible, including football, kabaddi, wrestling, hockey, tennis and badminton, by persistent efforts by various stakeholders, leading to cascading effects on tourism and infrastructure sectors, Goel, added.

    Pointing out that slick packaging of the sports leagues as entertainment by TV channels in India has been a game changer, the Minister said, “This is reflected in more than 450 million viewers of Indian Super League (football) with the most interesting revelation being the Pro Kabaddi League with a viewership of more than 500 million.”

    To make sports more catchy and interesting for an average man, some games can also learn few tricks from cricket’s bosses who invented shorter formats of the game to keep the viewer and on-field spectators hooked on, while creating a new business model.

    However, the Minister did admit that the sports as a culture is yet to percolate down to every Indian home and to rectify it an all out effort has to be made not only by the government, but also the people of the country.

    “Playgrounds in schools and residential areas are being trimmed because of scarce availability of land and such actions don’t help,” Goel said, adding the government is committed to working towards building a culture of sports and improving infrastructure but all stakeholders, including corporate and sponsors, must work towards this common objective.

  • Sports Minister lauds b’casters, other stakeholders in promoting sports

    Sports Minister lauds b’casters, other stakeholders in promoting sports

    NEW DELHI: India’s Sports Minister Vijay Goel said on Wednesday that digital media broadcasting will play a critical role in bringing about change in sports broadcasting in India but broadcasters must also focus on how sports as a product is delivered to audiences in rural areas so as to popularise the culture of sports.

    Addressing the CII Big Picture Summit 2016 here, he said increasing penetration of internet, mobile devices and cheaper data services, especially in rural areas, will prove a game changer in this direction.

    Interacting with the panellists on a session on `Sports Broadcasting in India: A Game Changer’, which meandered most of its time period all over the place despite having good representation from various segments of sports broadcasting and marketing, the Sports Minister said media has helped promote sports in the country and has also given a fillip to less popular sports like kabaddi.

    A majority of sports leagues have been made possible, including football, kabaddi, wrestling, hockey, tennis and badminton, by persistent efforts by various stakeholders, leading to cascading effects on tourism and infrastructure sectors, Goel, added.

    Pointing out that slick packaging of the sports leagues as entertainment by TV channels in India has been a game changer, the Minister said, “This is reflected in more than 450 million viewers of Indian Super League (football) with the most interesting revelation being the Pro Kabaddi League with a viewership of more than 500 million.”

    To make sports more catchy and interesting for an average man, some games can also learn few tricks from cricket’s bosses who invented shorter formats of the game to keep the viewer and on-field spectators hooked on, while creating a new business model.

    However, the Minister did admit that the sports as a culture is yet to percolate down to every Indian home and to rectify it an all out effort has to be made not only by the government, but also the people of the country.

    “Playgrounds in schools and residential areas are being trimmed because of scarce availability of land and such actions don’t help,” Goel said, adding the government is committed to working towards building a culture of sports and improving infrastructure but all stakeholders, including corporate and sponsors, must work towards this common objective.