Category: Sports

SPN India to broadcast FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016 tomorrow

MUMBAI: The sports cluster of SPN will broadcast the eighth edition of one of the biggest futsal tournament in the world, the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016.

The opening game of the tournament between the host country Columbia and Portugal will be simulcast on Sony Six, Sony Six HD and Sony ESPN, Sony ESPN HD at 625 am IST on 11 September.

With the telecast of the first premier Futsal in July this year, the sports cluster of SPN became forerunners in bringing futsal to the Indian viewers. The league saw legends of football and futsal come together for the first time in a unique and pioneering model. The success of the tournament has led to a considerable spike in the demand for futsal viewing.

The FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016, is an international championship, organized by FIFA and held every four years, between two football World Cups.

The reigning champions, Brazil, will defend their title this year with some of their marquee players like Fernandinho and Falcao expected to create futsal magic with their footwork. Up until now, Brazil and Spain have been the only two countries who have claimed the title of Futsal World Cup champions, with Brazil winning five and Spain winning two times.

SPN sports and distribution president Rajesh Kaul said, “The FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016, is the biggest futsal tournament in the world and we are happy to bring this experience to our Indian football fans. It is a known fact that futsal has massive potential in India. With the broadcast of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016, the popularity of the game is expected to further increase considerably. With plenty of football fans lapping up the skills, it won’t be long before futsal becomes the norm of the nation.

With the acquisition of some of the key European football properties like the UEFA EURO 2016, LaLiga, Serie A etc., we have tried to bring to our audiences unmatched viewing experiences. With the telecast of Premier Futsal and now the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016, we aim to diversify our football broadcast portfolio to a large extent,” Kaul added.

September 10, 2016
SPN India to broadcast FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016 tomorrow

MUMBAI: The sports cluster of SPN will broadcast the eighth edition of one of the biggest futsal tournament in the world, the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016.

The opening game of the tournament between the host country Columbia and Portugal will be simulcast on Sony Six, Sony Six HD and Sony ESPN, Sony ESPN HD at 625 am IST on 11 September.

With the telecast of the first premier Futsal in July this year, the sports cluster of SPN became forerunners in bringing futsal to the Indian viewers. The league saw legends of football and futsal come together for the first time in a unique and pioneering model. The success of the tournament has led to a considerable spike in the demand for futsal viewing.

The FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016, is an international championship, organized by FIFA and held every four years, between two football World Cups.

The reigning champions, Brazil, will defend their title this year with some of their marquee players like Fernandinho and Falcao expected to create futsal magic with their footwork. Up until now, Brazil and Spain have been the only two countries who have claimed the title of Futsal World Cup champions, with Brazil winning five and Spain winning two times.

SPN sports and distribution president Rajesh Kaul said, “The FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016, is the biggest futsal tournament in the world and we are happy to bring this experience to our Indian football fans. It is a known fact that futsal has massive potential in India. With the broadcast of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016, the popularity of the game is expected to further increase considerably. With plenty of football fans lapping up the skills, it won’t be long before futsal becomes the norm of the nation.

With the acquisition of some of the key European football properties like the UEFA EURO 2016, LaLiga, Serie A etc., we have tried to bring to our audiences unmatched viewing experiences. With the telecast of Premier Futsal and now the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016, we aim to diversify our football broadcast portfolio to a large extent,” Kaul added.

September 10, 2016
SPN India telecasting Rio para-athletes strive for excellence

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has further cemented its commitment towards the cause of games with the acquisition of the broadcast and digital broadcast rights of Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

As a continuation of its endeavour to support India’s sports talent, SPN will showcase regular updates and highlights of the Indian contingent’s performance at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games on Sony SIX and Sony ESPN channels as well on its digital platform SonyLIV. The telecast has begun and will continue till 19 September, 2016.

SPN will telecast the highlights of the day sessions and night sessions in two separate 60-minute capsules.

Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, a major international multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities, governed by the International Paralympic Committee is taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Adding on to the massive level of interest, India is represented by its largest-ever contingent of 19 Indian athletes that will compete across 10 disciplines. Viewers will get a chance watch and support the Indian para-athletes strive for sporting excellence.

SPN Sports and distribution president Rajesh Kaul said, “The sports cluster of SPN has continued to show its support to the cause of differently-abled sports in India”.

“India is proudly rooting for the 19 para-athletes who are in Rio right now and there is an increasing public interest to watch how they perform at this International event. We will telecast the highlights of both sessions so that viewers can watch a round-up of the Paralympian’s performance.”

“Ek India Happywala” is the theme under the aegis of which SPN runs its CSR programme. It focusses on creating a positive impact in our ecosystem and is built on three pillars: empowerment, education and environment.

September 10, 2016
SPN India telecasting Rio para-athletes strive for excellence

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has further cemented its commitment towards the cause of games with the acquisition of the broadcast and digital broadcast rights of Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

As a continuation of its endeavour to support India’s sports talent, SPN will showcase regular updates and highlights of the Indian contingent’s performance at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games on Sony SIX and Sony ESPN channels as well on its digital platform SonyLIV. The telecast has begun and will continue till 19 September, 2016.

SPN will telecast the highlights of the day sessions and night sessions in two separate 60-minute capsules.

Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, a major international multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities, governed by the International Paralympic Committee is taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Adding on to the massive level of interest, India is represented by its largest-ever contingent of 19 Indian athletes that will compete across 10 disciplines. Viewers will get a chance watch and support the Indian para-athletes strive for sporting excellence.

SPN Sports and distribution president Rajesh Kaul said, “The sports cluster of SPN has continued to show its support to the cause of differently-abled sports in India”.

“India is proudly rooting for the 19 para-athletes who are in Rio right now and there is an increasing public interest to watch how they perform at this International event. We will telecast the highlights of both sessions so that viewers can watch a round-up of the Paralympian’s performance.”

“Ek India Happywala” is the theme under the aegis of which SPN runs its CSR programme. It focusses on creating a positive impact in our ecosystem and is built on three pillars: empowerment, education and environment.

September 10, 2016
Ministry begins Rio performance review with an eye on 2020

NEW DELHI: A thorough review of India’s performance in Rio Olympics 2016 by the sports ministry has begun in the backdrop of the prime minister Narendra Modi announcement of establishing a task force to prepare for future Olympics.

Sports Minister Vijay Goel has written to each of the athletes who participated at Rio, seeking their suggestions. He has stated that they should feel free to give their feedback. In his letter, Goel has stressed the need for more inputs from performers like them so that the pool of world-class athletes can be enhanced and sports infrastructure strengthened.

The ministry has also written to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to submit their feedback on India’s performance in Rio and steps needed for improvement. Such feedback will also be sought from the National Sports Federations (NSFs).

Goel will have detailed meetings with the IOA and the NSFs shortly in this regard. The objective of this exercise is to analyse performance.

Modi had announced setting up a task force to prepare a comprehensive action plan for effective participation of Indian sportspersons in the next three Olympic games 2020, 2024 and 2028.

The ministry will also take a look at the duties and responsibilities of various members of the Indian contingent for the Rio Olympics with the purpose of making a fair assessment of their role and taking steps for improvement.

Goel will visit some prominent academies and Sports Authority of India Centres to have first-hand knowledge of the facilities available for training and improvement required. On 17 September, he will visit the Gopi Chand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad where he will meet players, coaches and other support persons. He will also visit the SAI Centre at Hyderabad.

September 9, 2016
Ministry begins Rio performance review with an eye on 2020

NEW DELHI: A thorough review of India’s performance in Rio Olympics 2016 by the sports ministry has begun in the backdrop of the prime minister Narendra Modi announcement of establishing a task force to prepare for future Olympics.

Sports Minister Vijay Goel has written to each of the athletes who participated at Rio, seeking their suggestions. He has stated that they should feel free to give their feedback. In his letter, Goel has stressed the need for more inputs from performers like them so that the pool of world-class athletes can be enhanced and sports infrastructure strengthened.

The ministry has also written to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to submit their feedback on India’s performance in Rio and steps needed for improvement. Such feedback will also be sought from the National Sports Federations (NSFs).

Goel will have detailed meetings with the IOA and the NSFs shortly in this regard. The objective of this exercise is to analyse performance.

Modi had announced setting up a task force to prepare a comprehensive action plan for effective participation of Indian sportspersons in the next three Olympic games 2020, 2024 and 2028.

The ministry will also take a look at the duties and responsibilities of various members of the Indian contingent for the Rio Olympics with the purpose of making a fair assessment of their role and taking steps for improvement.

Goel will visit some prominent academies and Sports Authority of India Centres to have first-hand knowledge of the facilities available for training and improvement required. On 17 September, he will visit the Gopi Chand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad where he will meet players, coaches and other support persons. He will also visit the SAI Centre at Hyderabad.

September 9, 2016
121 million watch India-West Indies T20 match

MUMBAI: Cricket fever can never be out of season. The India vs West Indies T20 matches saw 121 million viewers tune in to watch the live telecasts on 27 and 29 August. It was almost as massive as the IPL viewership this year, according to ZAPR TV viewership data.

The preceding test matches in the same series garnered a huge viewership of 70 million, despite popular knowledge that test cricket has taken a backseat with the game’s gradual evolution to more fast-paced formats. Interestingly, a large portion of these viewers have also watched previous cricket tournaments. Do these viewers make up an audience loyal to cricket, regardless of the format in which the game is played?

The first match in the test series received the highest viewership with 22 million viewers tuned in to watch the live telecast on 21 July.

In all, 97 million watched the first T20 match played on 27 August. The telecast experienced a peak in viewership between 10pm and 11pm as the Indian team forfeited a win by just a single run.

Of the individuals who watched the India vs West Indies matches, 86 per cent of them watched the T20 World Cup, and 83 per cent also watched the IPL matches this year. While T20 matches generally have higher viewership, the India vs Zimbabwe tour which consisted of three ODI matches also garnered significant viewership.

The same viewers also followed different kinds of sports on television: 61.8 per cent of individuals who watched the India vs West Indies series watched the recent Rio 2016 Olympics.37.1 per cent of them watched the Pro-Kabaddi League and 15.2 per cent watched the famous football tournament UEFA Euro 2016.

In addition to general interest for sports content, the audience who is format-neutral and loyal to a particular sport are highly valuable. These individuals are most likely to have high affinity towards sport stars, and brands associated with that particular sport, making it conducive for brands to effectively engage with them

September 9, 2016
121 million watch India-West Indies T20 match

MUMBAI: Cricket fever can never be out of season. The India vs West Indies T20 matches saw 121 million viewers tune in to watch the live telecasts on 27 and 29 August. It was almost as massive as the IPL viewership this year, according to ZAPR TV viewership data.

The preceding test matches in the same series garnered a huge viewership of 70 million, despite popular knowledge that test cricket has taken a backseat with the game’s gradual evolution to more fast-paced formats. Interestingly, a large portion of these viewers have also watched previous cricket tournaments. Do these viewers make up an audience loyal to cricket, regardless of the format in which the game is played?

The first match in the test series received the highest viewership with 22 million viewers tuned in to watch the live telecast on 21 July.

In all, 97 million watched the first T20 match played on 27 August. The telecast experienced a peak in viewership between 10pm and 11pm as the Indian team forfeited a win by just a single run.

Of the individuals who watched the India vs West Indies matches, 86 per cent of them watched the T20 World Cup, and 83 per cent also watched the IPL matches this year. While T20 matches generally have higher viewership, the India vs Zimbabwe tour which consisted of three ODI matches also garnered significant viewership.

The same viewers also followed different kinds of sports on television: 61.8 per cent of individuals who watched the India vs West Indies series watched the recent Rio 2016 Olympics.37.1 per cent of them watched the Pro-Kabaddi League and 15.2 per cent watched the famous football tournament UEFA Euro 2016.

In addition to general interest for sports content, the audience who is format-neutral and loyal to a particular sport are highly valuable. These individuals are most likely to have high affinity towards sport stars, and brands associated with that particular sport, making it conducive for brands to effectively engage with them

September 9, 2016
SPN India to broadcast National Football League

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) is bringing to its viewers sports leagues from North America — the National Football League (NFL).

Action begins with the first game of NFL Kick off 2016 Weekend featuring the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos hosting the Carolina Panthers in a rematch of Super Bowl 50 on Sony Six, Sony Six HD and Sony ESPN, Sony ESPN HD on 9 September, 2016, at 6 am. Three NFL games a week will be telecast live on Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD during the 2016 NFL season.

NFL games will be telecast three times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays at 6am IST giving viewers more options in the breakfast viewing category. Apart from this, select games during the season will also be telecast at prime- time.

The NFL is one of the four major professional sports leagues in North America, and the highest professional level of American football in the world. It consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC).

Each regular season runs for a period of 17 weeks with each team playing 16 games and having one bye week. At the end of the regular season, six teams from each conference (four division winners and two wild card teams) advance to the playoffs that concludes with the Super Bowl, played between the champions of the NFC and AFC.

SPN distribution and sports president Rajesh Kaul said, “The sports cluster of SPN possess the broadcast rights of two of the ‘Big 4’ professional sports leagues in America with the NFL and NBA, consequently showcasing the best of American sports leagues to our viewers. We have seen a growing interest amongst urban Indian viewers for American sports it seems set to grow further with the NFL games”.

He further added, “Breakfast Viewing is a transformational concept initiated and fostered by SPN that has changed the way live sports is consumed by viewers today. At present, we are the only network catering to die-hard sports fans in this segment and are giving our viewers more options in sports consumption owing to the demand for live international content in this time band. There is a significant viewership in the breakfast viewing category for our other content and we are expecting to see a definite growth in viewership for the NFL too.”

September 8, 2016
SPN India to broadcast National Football League

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) is bringing to its viewers sports leagues from North America — the National Football League (NFL).

Action begins with the first game of NFL Kick off 2016 Weekend featuring the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos hosting the Carolina Panthers in a rematch of Super Bowl 50 on Sony Six, Sony Six HD and Sony ESPN, Sony ESPN HD on 9 September, 2016, at 6 am. Three NFL games a week will be telecast live on Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD during the 2016 NFL season.

NFL games will be telecast three times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays at 6am IST giving viewers more options in the breakfast viewing category. Apart from this, select games during the season will also be telecast at prime- time.

The NFL is one of the four major professional sports leagues in North America, and the highest professional level of American football in the world. It consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC).

Each regular season runs for a period of 17 weeks with each team playing 16 games and having one bye week. At the end of the regular season, six teams from each conference (four division winners and two wild card teams) advance to the playoffs that concludes with the Super Bowl, played between the champions of the NFC and AFC.

SPN distribution and sports president Rajesh Kaul said, “The sports cluster of SPN possess the broadcast rights of two of the ‘Big 4’ professional sports leagues in America with the NFL and NBA, consequently showcasing the best of American sports leagues to our viewers. We have seen a growing interest amongst urban Indian viewers for American sports it seems set to grow further with the NFL games”.

He further added, “Breakfast Viewing is a transformational concept initiated and fostered by SPN that has changed the way live sports is consumed by viewers today. At present, we are the only network catering to die-hard sports fans in this segment and are giving our viewers more options in sports consumption owing to the demand for live international content in this time band. There is a significant viewership in the breakfast viewing category for our other content and we are expecting to see a definite growth in viewership for the NFL too.”

September 8, 2016