ITV

Category: Sports

  • Eikona dribbles through FIFA 2006

    Eikona dribbles through FIFA 2006

    MUMBAI: The period of roughly a week before the launch of any product, film, program, or event is extremely crucial. The pre-buzz prior to the launch created with multiple touch  points  across  editorial,  advertising,  teasers  /  promos  not  only  build  up curiosity but also pulls the target audience to sample it, at least ones. More so, for a massive global sporting events like FIFA, the communication has to get through boundaries  of Age, Gender  and SEC (Socio Economical  Classification),  Geography etc.

     

    Effectively, FIFA is not a very new phenomenon to India. The roaring success in FIFA 2006 has played a key role in repositioning Soccer as one of the most preferred sporting events among the Indian TV audiences. What made FIFA 2006 bridge with the Indian TV audiences? Amongst many, buzz creation was one of cornerstones towards making FIFA 2006 a success story. Within the construct of FIFA 2006 buzz, PR played a key role in influencing and pushing Indian audiences to take interest, watch and re-watch FIFA telecast.

     

    Click here to read the full report

  • MSM sub-licenses FIFA World Cup to Seven3Sports

    MSM sub-licenses FIFA World Cup to Seven3Sports

    NEW DELHI: Football fans across Indian subcontinent can now enjoy the biggest sporting event, 2014 FIFA World Cup, thanks to Seven3Sports bagging the sub-license rights from MSM India for telecasting the World Cup in the five countries across Indian subcontinent (excluding India). The media rights includes: TV broadcast through terrestrial transmission on an exclusive and Cable and Satellite on a non-exclusive basis besides mobile and broadband rights.

     

    Seven3Sports has put together an enviable partnership with several leading sports and state-owned government channels across territories, which includes Ten Sports and Pakistan TV in Pakistan; Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation in Sri Lanka; Gazi TV, Maasranga TV and Bangladesh TV in Bangladesh; Nepal TV and Kantipur TV in Nepal and Maldives Broadcasting Corporation and Island Broadcasting Company in Maldives.

     

    Seven3Sports founder and chief executive officer Jatin Ahluwalia said, “We are delighted to take this biggest sporting competition in the world to many more homes across Indian sub-continent countries (excluding India) and want to thank MSM for trusting our vision and for their faith in our abilities to deliver sub-license arrangements. This partnership has bolstered our strength and confidence in delivering to high standards. We are honoured to have been entrusted with this opportunity that has enabled us to notch up with our array of services as a sports media company.”

     

    Through this large scale arrangement, Seven3Sports is democratising viewing experience for the football-lovers through local partnerships, bringing the superior and outstanding soccer experience of 2014 FIFA World Cup  to nearly half a billion people across these states.

     

    Seven3Sports is a young company that has grown manifolds, making its presence felt in the sports & broadcast industry. The new, out-of-the-box approach to offer multi-platform / multi-region of super-premium sporting events makes it different from others.

     

    The company has set out a sustainable plan to build a sports media eco-system through its long term sports media arrangements – it already owns Pepsi IPL TV Broadcast rights for the Indian subcontinent region across Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka from 2014 for five seasons, Digital rights for French Open in India for 2013 and 2014,  Digital rights of Bundesliga the leading soccer league of Germany from 2014-2016, besides delivering India’s tour of New Zealand and Zimbabwe in 2013 across digital platforms.

  • Star Sports bags India Bangladesh ODI rights

    Star Sports bags India Bangladesh ODI rights

    MUMBAI: The suspense has ended finally. Sports broadcaster Star Sports has acquired the broadcasting rights for the tri-series between India and Bangladesh. The sports broadcaster got the rights from Bangladesh Cricket Boards official media partner Gazi TV.

     

    As reported earlier, Gazi TV officials were apprehensive about finding a media partner in India and were reportedly in talks with star Sports to bag the telecasting rights.

     

    Sony Six already has its hands full with the ongoing FIFA World Cup and wasn’t too keen on bagging the series. With BCCI and sports channels: Ten Sports and Neo Sports fighting it out in the court, it was unlikely that the two would bag the rights.

     

    According to media reports, Star Sports had offered Rs 50 million per match, which was too less according to Gazi TV. Thus, with Star Sports being the only player it was expected that they only would bag the rights.

     

    The three match series began on 15 June and will be played on 17 June and culminate on 19 June in Dhaka.

     

    The English commentary match will be shown on Star Sports 1, Star Sports HD 1 and starsports.com, while the Hindi will be aired on Star Sports 3.

  • Broadcasters may earn up to $4 billion from World Cup: Deloitte

    Broadcasters may earn up to $4 billion from World Cup: Deloitte

    NEW DELHI: Deloitte has predicted a record-setting World Cup for broadcasters globally with a $4 billion haul.

     

    According to Deloitte Sports Business Group senior consultant Austin Houlihan, “The World Cup is a premium property for free-to-air broadcasters in particular, due to its ability to generate high audiences in many territories. For example, in major European markets, tournament matches typically generate the highest sports audiences in that particular year. The German audience for the 2010 World Cup semi-final between Germany and Spain exceeded 30 million viewers, the first time a single German broadcaster had exceeded an audience of this size.”

     

     “The World Cup’s kick-off times are conducive to driving strong audiences in areas such as North and South America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. As a result, the tournament in Brazil could generate a record global television audience. The 2010 final—Spain vs. Netherlands—was watched by a cumulative global audience of 910 million in-home viewers (measured as people watching at least one minute of coverage), according to FIFA research and if you include out-of-home viewers (e.g. pubs/clubs) the audience was in excess of 1 billion,” he added.

     

     The World Cup’s ability to generate such audiences means that broadcasters and sponsors pay premium rights fees to secure rights to broadcast, or be associated, with the tournament. “The 2014 tournament is likely to generate record high revenues for FIFA, which has forecast broadcast and commercial revenues of around $4 billion, according to the report published by the National Association of Broadcasters,” informed Houlihan.

     

     Deloitte predicts that as well as driving record broadcast and sponsorship revenues, the tournament will help to drive new standards in the quality of broadcast production. Production innovations include some matches being produced in ultra-high definition—4k and 8k—and an increased number of cameras and angles covering matches. The tournament will also cater for the increasing trend for audiences to view content through mobile devices, with greater numbers of viewers being able to access match footage—live, highlights, video on demand, clips—and associated content through their tablets and mobiles.

  • DD’s FIFA offering

    DD’s FIFA offering

    NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: Reaching out to a wider audience so that the FIFA fever isn’t missed by all, India’s public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has got into an agreement with official FIFA World Cup broadcaster Sony Six.

     

    The deal is mandatory under the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory sharing with Prasar Bharti) Act 2007 for telecasting a few games of the mammoth event.

     

    These games include the opening ceremony (which was telecasted yesterday), the maiden match (played out between Brazil and Croatia), two semi finals and the final match.

     

    However, DD will be showcasing different advertisements during the simulcast of select matches.

     

    Officials from Sony Six confirmed saying that since FIFA World Cup is a mandatory listed event under the mentioned Act, therefore it had to share its feed with the pubcaster.

     

    Surprising, the marketing department of DD quoted higher ad rates than those quoted by Sony Six for a 10 second slot. Therefore following the modalities that come under the Act, DD will retain 25 per cent of the ad revenues while 75 per cent will be handed over to Sony Six.

     

    Meanwhile, keeping at bay all apprehensions,  the World Cup opening ceremony finally got off to a colorful start with American singer Jennifer Lopez along with rapper Pitbull and Brazillian singer Claudia Leitteto belting out the  official World Cup song  “We are One” together on stage.

     

    Kids who were draped as football referees created formations around a giant LED flower in the center of the stadium that displayed Brazillian colours and many languages. The famous Brazilian dance, Samba, was showcased as men and women in fancy colours put their best foot forward. The opening match between the host country Brazil and Croatia ended with a 3-1 victory with Brazil winning it. The lone goal for Croatia was only because Brazilian defender Marcelo scored Brazils own goal in the 11th minute.

  • No takers for India-Bangladesh tri series, yet

    No takers for India-Bangladesh tri series, yet

    MUMBAI: With just two days to go for the India –Bangladesh one-day international (ODI) series, the Bangladesh’s official television rights holder, Gazi TV, is yet to get an Indian broadcaster on board according to a report in a daily today.

     

    The report further mentions that Gazi  TV has put a $ 1 million offer for the rights of the three-match ODI series which will be held on 15, 17 & 19 June. The offer was being customised for Star Sports but as of now it has not shown any interest and wants the price to be lowered.

     

    The report quotes Gazi TV CFO Salahuddin Chowdhury saying that it has not received any confirmation from Star. “We don’t want to deprive the Indian fans of live action of the series, unless, something dramatic happens over the next two days, I cannot assure you that the matches will be telecast in India.” 

     

    With FIFA being aired on Sony Six, it is unlikely that the channel from the Multi Screen Media (MSM) kitty would be interested in telecasting the tri-series.

     

    Also, Ten Sports and Neo Sports are currently occupied fighting the big bully Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in court.  It’s safe to assume that they will also not telecast the matches.

     

    However, there could be  some good news for Gazi. India’s state owned broadcaster Doordarshan is open to a revenue-sharing deal.
     

    The three matches will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium at Mirpur.

  • Who will take the glory home?

    Who will take the glory home?

    MUMBAI: The D-Day has finally arrived for football fans as the FIFA WC 2014 begins in Brazil in what is promised as a starry event. The fans across the world will be cheering for their favourite teams.

    With a few hours to begin, indiantelevision.com picks up the top five teams that hope to take home the trophy that truly matters.

    Brazil – The host country is a top favourite this season. The team being led by Paris Saint Germain defender Thiago Silva is hopeful of bringing back the trophy home for the sixth time. A key favourite in the team is 22-year-old star footballer Neymar. Tomorrow will be his 50th international when Brazil plays against Croatia in the opening match. Brazil previously won the World Cup in 1958,1962,1970,1994 and 2002.

    Argentina – Brazil’s biggest arch rival, the South American giant, won the world cup twice in 1978 and 1986.The team being led by another top contender Lionel Messi is slated to have its first match against Bosnia on 16 June.

    Spain – The team that is hopeful of retaining the world cup title after winning it the last time in 2010. The captain Iker Casillas has said in recent reports that he hopes of holding on to the title. Spain’s first match will be against Netherlands on 14 June.

    Germany – Having won the world cup three times previously in 1954, 1974 and 1990. A contingent of players who despite having injuries are led by the talented Phillip Lahm who are optimistic of lifting the world cup a fourth time around. They will meet Portugal in their first match scheduled for 16 June.

    Belgium – The underdogs this world cup, Belgium’s youthful squad is brimming with talent who are the favourites for fence sitters this time around. The team first match will be against Algeria on 17 June. The team’s best performance (they have never won the cup) so far has been at the 1986 world cup where they were placed fourth. The team is led by captain Vincent Kompany.

  • Anthems to raise football fever

    Anthems to raise football fever

    MUMBAI: When an energetic game like football and music collide, it’s a magical treat for fans.

     

    In a country where cricket is a religion, official football songs and anthems have been instrumental in getting the fans together. During the 2010 WC Waving Flag by K’nan and Waka Waka by Shakira saw fans cheering and dancing to the popular chartbusters even before the commencement of the tournament.  A hit at parties and sports gatherings, helped more fans on board.

     

    This year, there are three top anthems generating enough and hype.

     

    The biggest hit has been from international pop icon Shakira who is seen gyrating to the unofficial FIFA anthem La La La (Brazil 2014). The Columbian’s second World Cup anthem features her 27-year-old beau and Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué alongside other players like Radamel Falcao, Cesc Soler, Sergio Aguero, James Rodríguez, Eric Abidal, Neymar and Lionel Messi. But the star of the video is none other than, Shakira and Gerard’s son Milan. The official video on her YouTube channel has so far garnered close to 100 million views.

     

    The video is not just limited towards promoting the game but also has Shakira and Activia coming together to support the World Food Programme (WFP).  According to online reports, Shakira and Activia will be donating funds to support the WFP’s School Meals Programme, which will help deliver around 3,000,000 additional school meals for children in developing countries.

    Meanwhile, the official anthem called We Are One (Ole Ola) of the mega event will see international rapper Pitbull and Jeniffer Lopez coming together, again.

     

    Though the video has famous Brazilian landmarks and footballers, it has not gone down too well with the host country’s citizens. Brazilians are unhappy that the video is devoid of local notes and flavor and the focus in mainly on creating another ‘Waka Waka’.

     

    Not to forget, the Ricky Martin’s Vida which has got close to 15 million views on his official YouTube channel. The video is a mosaic of people coming together to celebrate the spirit of football on the sun kissed beaches of Brazil.

     

    Now with three songs in the fray, it remains to be seen which one succeeds in remaining at the top of the charts till 13 July when the WC culminates.
     

    Click here to watch Pitbull Official FIFA Anthem

    Click here to watch Shakira FIFA Anthem

    Click here to watch Ricky Martin FIFA Anthem

     

  • Reliance foundation and NBA launch project to install basketball hoops in schools

    Reliance foundation and NBA launch project to install basketball hoops in schools

    MUMBAI: The Reliance Foundation and the National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced a new project to install basketball hoops in more than 50 schools across Mumbai as part of their joint commitment to developing basketball infrastructure in India and to facilitate access to the game.  

    This marks the next step in the partnership between the two organizations, which launched the Reliance Foundation Jr. NBA program in 2013 and has taught basketball and the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle to nearly 150,000 youth across two Indian cities.  The program will expand to six cities in 2014.

     

    NBA point guard Isaiah Thomas of the Sacramento Kings, traveling to India on behalf of the NBA to help grow the game, was on-hand to help tip off the first stage ofthe Reliance Foundation Jr. NBA Pprogram’s Basketball Hoops Infrastructure project, which included hosting a youth clinic at the IES school in Dadar. Isaiah will be part of several basketballinitiatives across the city designed to inspire youth to play and to grow the NBA’s fanbase.

     

    “This is my first visit to India, and I am really excited to see the passion for basketball here that I have been hearing about,” said Thomas.“NBA India and the Reliance Foundation are doing a great job in the development and promotion of the sport here, and I look forward to helping them as much as possible.”

     

    This basic infrastructure will give thousands of youth across Mumbai access to the game year- round, further allowing them to live a healthy and active lifestyle.

     

    “The progress under the Reliance Foundation Jr NBA program in reaching approximately 150,000 youth through in-school and after school programs has been very satisfying.  The Reliance Foundation Jr. NBA pProgram is now providing the basic infrastructure needed to play the game of basketball,” said Jagannatha Kumar, CEO, Reliance Foundation. “By installing these hoops, hundreds of thousands of Indian youth can play the game together and help grow the game throughout India.”

     

    “This is the next step in our partnership with the Reliance Foundation as we continue to grow basketball across India,” said Yannick Colaco, Managing Director, NBA India. “Since our partnership last year, the Reliance Foundation Jr. NBA program has integrated basketball into the school level and helps promote a healthy and active lifestyle to Indian youth.”

     

    The Reliance Foundation Jr. NBA program has featured more than 5,000 in-school basketball sessions and hosted 11 after-school basketball locations.  The international coaches, appointed by the NBA to implement the program, have trained more than300 physical education instructors.   Each local coach received a “Basketball in a Bag,” which contained a localized coaching guide, cones, whistles, a stopwatch, posters, and an air pump. In addition, more than 5,000 basketballs have been provided to participating schools in order to give youth an opportunity to learn and enjoy the game.

  • IPL Fantasy League user base crosses 10 lakh

    IPL Fantasy League user base crosses 10 lakh

    BENGALURU:  TenTenTen Digital Products (TTT) announced that its fantasy cricket game user base has nearly doubled to cross the 10 lakh mark. TTT says that this probably makes it the biggest cricket game in the world.

     

    The company informs that the biggest success of the IPL Fantasy League has been the high level of traffic it has witnessed. Since its launch in 2013, the Fantasy League website has had over 60 lakh unique visitors clocking in nearly 2.75 crore page views, with an average session spanning eight pages over 13 minutes. TTT says that the league also saw global participation with almost 18 per cent of visitors coming from 213 countries outside India. After India, the countries with most visits were the UK and the US, followed by the UAE and Pakistan.

     

     TTT managing director and CEO Ramesh Srivats says, “The challenge this year was to make the best game even better. We approached this at two levels. We enhanced the experience for serious players by adding features like Stealth Mode, Scheduled Changes, and even the ability to track league positions live. And for casual players, we made the game more enjoyable with All Stars, Facebook Leagues and fun features like Dishooms. The response has been overwhelming, and now we have already started thinking about what new stuff we can add next year.”

     

    Sharing additional data, the company claims that all three game modes saw increased participation. Over 4.5 lakh people played the Championship Mode, and 36 lakh Daily Challenge teams were created.  The new game mode – All Stars – where casual players could create a team by picking at least one player from each franchise saw nearly 3 lakh people participating in it.  TTT informs that the ability to create user leagues also drew heavy engagement, with users being able to face-off against friends and colleagues for bragging rights. Over 60,000 such leagues were created with a combined membership of nearly 4.5 lakh players this year.

     

     Users could also join fan leagues, to indicate the teams they were rooting for. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) was at the top with over 1.17 lakh users. When it comes to the ‘most wanted’ players of this season, based on users’ choice across all 60 matches, Glen Maxwell topped the list followed by Virat Kohli, Sunil Narine, Dwayne Smith and Suresh Raina.

     

     The winners of the IPL Fantasy League were awarded the official team jersey signed by KKR players along with a special cricket bat and a hamper of IPL memorabilia. In addition to this, The Daily Challenge winners were also given tickets for the playoff matches.