Category: Sports

WWE Superstars get animated with ‘WWE Slam City’

MUMBAI: Mattel is well renowned to be one of the leading toy manufacturers in the world with the likes of Barbie, Hot Wheels and Monster High, amongst others under its IP. The toy manufacturing giant has inked a deal with the wrestling giant – WWE – for an original animated short format series.

WWE Slam City, the company’s new kids’ property includes an original animated short-form series and a complete line of WWE Slam City merchandise. The 26-episode series, which launched yesterday in US, Canada and UK is comprised of two minute shorts featuring WWE Superstars in their new animated world, WWE Slam City.

The first four episodes began airing from 17 March at WWESlamCity.com and Cartoonium on YouTube. WWE Slam City toys, including action figures, ring sets and more, are currently available at major retail stores.

“WWE Slam City is a multi-platform property that takes our Superstars out of the ring and introduces them to kids through entertaining and action-packed animation,” said WWE chief revenue and marketing officer Michelle D. Wilson. “This strategic initiative is perfectly complemented through our partnership with Mattel and adds to an already dynamic portfolio of content designed to create lifelong WWE fans.”

The series, filmed in the next generation of stop-motion animation, features a new WWE animated character ‘The Finisher’, who fires all of the WWE superstars and sends them to WWE Slam City to find day jobs. WWE Superstars are plunged into new career challenges as John Cena as an auto mechanic, Randy Orton Orton as a zookeeper, Sheamus as a theater usher, The Miz, Rey Mysterio, Kane, Alberto Del Rio as a coffee house barista and Mark Henry pack every street corner with work to do and scores to settle in a new life outside the ring, but still staying true to their WWE personas.

In addition to WWESlamCity.com and Cartoonium on YouTube, WWE Slam City will also be available in US on WWE Network, Hulu, PlayStation, Xbox, AOL On, Nintendo, Vudu, Google Play, Kabillion, Mattel.com and iTunes. WWE will utilise all of its assets, including TV broadcasts, live events, digital and social media to generate awareness for its new kids property.

“Slam City is the result of a seamless collaboration with WWE where we are bringing kids a completely new and invigorating entertainment experience,” said Mattel senior VP, global brands marketing, boys and entertainment Doug Wadleigh. “Combining fun to watch content that features Superstar favorites, along with an engaging line of toys, enables Slam City to further expand the WWE Universe while opening new avenues of play for the franchise.”

WWE Slam City is a key component of WWE’s larger strategy to expand its reach to kids. In 2013, WWE’s national TV programming reached nearly three million kids each week, representing more than 20 per cent of WWE’s average weekly TV audience. WWE also reaches kids through the number two action figure property in the US.

In addition, WWE supports programs that positively impact children and families around the world, including a 30-plus year relationship with Make-A-Wish as well as various literacy, education, anti-bullying and military initiatives.

In addition to toys, a full WWE Slam City merchandise line, including apparel, back-to-school accessories, books, graphic novels and home videos will be available in stores by the end of 2014. In 2015, a WWE Slam City mobile game, as well as health and beauty items, home goods, party supplies and stationary will be available.

The 26-episode WWE Slam City series is co-produced by WWE and Mattel’s Playground Productions, a new division within the Mattel Global Brands with a mission to identify, cultivate and produce compelling storylines through multiple platforms.

“Slam City’s multi-platform animation engages kids where they are today with a unique larger-than-life Superstar inspired storyline that’s authentic to WWE,” said Mattel Playground Productions senior VP David Voss. “We worked closely with WWE to ensure our style and storytelling complimented the brand, and really tapped into our creative expertise to produce a playful narrative that both kids and fans enjoy.”

With the launch of the WWE Network recently and this tie-up with Mattel, the wrestling giant is clearly looking at reaching out to a wider set of audience on both on-air as well as off-air platforms.

March 18, 2014
Mr. T to enter WWE Hall of Fame live on WWE Network

MUMBAI: The world of wrestling has always been an area of interest for celebrities from the entertainment industry. One such name is the pop-culture icon Mr. T, one of the most iconic personas in entertainment history, starring in the hit television show The A-Team and the blockbuster film Rocky III. In addition to his Hollywood career, Mr. T also made many memorable WWE appearances in the mid-1980s.

Recognising his association with WWE, the company announced yesterday that this year’s celebrity inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame will be Mr. T. At a ceremony on Saturday, 5 April in New Orleans that will be broadcast live, for the first time ever, exclusively on WWE Network at 9:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST).

“WWE is honored to have Mr. T join the WWE Hall of Fame,” said WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon. “His WWE appearances were instrumental in helping to establish WrestleMania as the pop-culture phenomenon it is today.”

In 1985, he was part of the main event of the inaugural WrestleMania at the Madison Square Garden, successfully teaming with Hulk Hogan to defeat “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff. In 1986, he defeated “Rowdy” Roddy Piper by disqualification in a special boxing match at WrestleMania 2 and also appeared on NBC’s Saturday Night’s Main Event program.

Mr. T is the latest celebrity inductee to enter the WWE Hall of Fame, joining Donald J. Trump, Drew Carey, Pete Rose, Bob Uecker, Mike Tyson and William “Refrigerator” Perry. Other members of the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame Class include Ultimate Warrior, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Lita, Paul Bearer and Carlos Colon.

March 18, 2014
Kabaddi gets a new life with ‘Pro Kabaddi League’

MUMBAI: After various leagues around cricket, hockey, badminton, football and tennis, it was time for Kabbadi to make a foray. Not missing the opportunity to bring back the rustic Indian sport to the limelight, Mashal Sports and the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) launched the Pro Kabaddi League at the National Sports Club of India today.

The sport has progressed from being a loved Indian game to the international platform. The League aims to extend its reach further to the international arena by bringing Indian and international players along with acclaimed Indian personalities and sports authorities on the same platform.

The official website www.prokabaddi.com will be a repository of information on all things related to Pro Kabaddi as well as Kabaddi in general while Star Sports will be the official broadcast partner for the League, the matches of which will be held on a ‘home and away’ format with daily, LIVE, prime-time coverage.

Star India COO Sanjay Gupta said: “Our association with Kabaddi is in line with our stated objective of transforming the sports landscape and enabling the growth of a multi-sport culture in India. Pro Kabaddi will build an ecosystem that can potentially take this game to the next level. We plan to offer an immersive and engaging experience for the Kabaddi viewers.”

Mashal Sports co-promoter Anand Mahindra, who will play a key role in taking Kabaddi to another level, tweeted: “Had asked you about supporting indigenous sport, specifically Kabaddi. Well proud to be a co-promoter of #ProKabaddi league we launched today.”

During the launch of the league, he also stated: “A vibrant, professional sports league can bring about a transformational change for the sport and its players. Pro Kabaddi is our attempt at bringing this change to our very own, extremely popular sport of Kabaddi. The modern, international, competitive form of the quintessentially Indian sport is already extremely popular across the world and with good television coverage and passionate team owners; Kabaddi’s massive following has the potential to make it the next big thing in sport.”

Mashal Sports MD and well known commentator, compere and quizmaster Charu Sharma, who is the force behind conceptualising and organising the league recalled how he was pleasantly shocked to see the power, passion and reach of Kabaddi while commentating during the 2006 Doha Asian Games. “I just knew, instinctively then, and more surely now, that modern, international Kabaddi has all the ingredients required to make it a major, visible force in the world of sport. I am truly grateful to the many visionaries who have made Pro Kabaddi possible,” he remarked.

World Sport Group (WSG) is the official commercial and event partners of the Pro Kabaddi League that has seen significant franchisee interest. Already pledging their support as team owners are leading entrepreneurs such as Ronnie Screwvala, Rajesh Shah (Mukand Group) and Kishore Biyani. Advanced discussions are on with other corporate giants such as the GMR Group and Murugappa Group. Even Shah Rukh Khan is known to be interested in it.

The league has been organised in association with International Kabaddi Federation, Asian Kabaddi Federation and Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India.

All Pro Kabaddi League matches will be played on a specially developed mat in state of the art indoor stadiums across eight cities. Top Kabaddi players from across India and the globe will participate in a show of intense competition and sporting camaraderie. A 10-minute exhibition match between top players in an ‘arena-within-an-arena’ at the NSCI Indoor Stadium, Mumbai spectacularly showcased the fresh, exciting and international face of Kabaddi.

Ogilvy & Mather executive chairman and creative director South Asia Piyush Panday said: “Kabaddi is the ultimate combination of power, agility and tactics. It is one of India’s unique treasures and I am glad that we are able to present it an international stage in such an exciting format.”

The matches will be preceded by a player auction, where each of the teams will get equal opportunity to build their squads. Almost 100 players will be auctioned, out of which 72 players will be Indian and the rest will be international players from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, England, Indonesia, Italy, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkmenistan, United States of America, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.

The League is set to take the sport to a new level of prominence and ensure that stars such as Navneet Gautam, Rakesh Kumar, Ajay Thakur and Rajaguru are bound to become the new sporting heroes.

Matches will be played as per the current international rules and regulations of the IKF. The Federation is also seriously considering making some small but significant changes to the game, to enhance its appeal on television.

Pro Kabaddi League, will have robust marketing strategies. Each franchisee will not only have their team colours and star players but also create their own fan following with innovative media outreach strategies. Sports enthusiasts, in India and across the world, can keep track of the matches, scores, and players as well as participate in the game through social media platforms such as the league’s website www.prokabaddi.com, Twitter handle @prokabaddi and Facebook page Pro Kabaddi.

March 14, 2014
ICC World Twenty20 Bangladesh 2014 set to break broadcast records

MUMBAI: Television coverage of the ICC World Twenty20 Bangladesh 2014 is set to break all previous ICC events’ broadcast records.

That coverage, produced and distributed by the ICC’s global media rights partner and host broadcaster, Star Sports, will have a potential reach of more than 1.8 billion viewers with live pictures shown by 29 broadcasters – both figures the highest ever for an ICC event.

And it will be shown in more than 20 languages with pictures going across Europe via Eurosport and as far afield as Norway, Nepal, Afghanistan and the Pacific Islands.

The production will be among the most sophisticated ever too, with 28 cameras, including seven ultra-motion cameras, Spidercam as well as graphics with key analytics, all of which will take the viewer right to the heart of the action.

All 35 matches in the men’s tournament, plus all four of the warm-up matches in Mirpur, will be covered, as well as both semi-finals and the final of the women’s event.

The complete list of broadcasters can be found here.

And a host of legends of the game and experienced broadcasters will be on hand, with Ravi Shastri, Sanjay Manjrekar, Shaun Pollock, Ian Bishop, Sourav Ganguly, Shane Warne, Rameez Raja, Wasim Akram, Russel Arnold, Nick Knight, Nasser Hussain, Harsha Bhogle, Jonty Rhodes, Pommie Mbangwa, Athar Ali Khan, Danny Morrison, Alan Wilkins, Brian Murgatroyd, Isa Guha, Alison Mitchell and Melanie Jones on hand to analyse every moment.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “We are delighted that more than a quarter of the world’s population will have access to live coverage from the World Twenty20 2014, thanks to ICC’s broadcast partners.

“In addition to the expanded broadcast footprint, an enhanced production coverage and a world-class commentary team will provide for an excellent viewing experience for fans across the world.”

Nitin Kukreja of Star Sports, said: “We are excited to bring to global cricket fans the fifth edition of the ICC World Twenty20. We remain committed to ever-enriching the viewing experience. This year’s edition will include innovations like LED stumps, increased focus on analytics and contextual graphics. The broadcast will go to 223 territories across the globe and will also be available on starsports.com in certain countries.”

There will also be extensive radio coverage of the ICC World Twenty20. In Bangladesh, coverage will be provided by Betar Bangladesh and Radio Bhoomi. Outside of host country, the event will have radio coverage from Channel 2 (Middle East & North America), All India Radio (India) BBC (UK), SABC (South Africa), Sport Radio (New Zealand), 107 FM (Pakistan), Voice of Asia (Sri Lanka), Klass (Jamaica) and GML Radio (Trinidad). Channel 2 will also do live commentary on the internet via Cricket Radio.

The list of radio broadcasters can be found here.

The ICC has also tied up with news access agencies SNTV, Perform and Thomson Reuters to provide news broadcasters around the world with 90-second match highlights, subject to these highlights being used in bonafide news programmes within 24 hours of end of the relevant match, for editorial purposes only.

March 14, 2014
WWE and ProSiebenSat.1 Announce Multi-Platform Partnership
MUNICH–(BUSINESS WIRE)– WWE and ProSiebenSat.1 today announced an expansive multi-year rights deal to deliver WWE’s unique, family-friendly content to the German and Austrian markets through Free TV, Pay TV and SVOD. The partnership includes:
- WWE pay-per-view events on Germany’s largest online video store, www.maxdome.de, including WrestleMania 30 which will be available live to all fans for the first time on Monday, April 7 at 1:00 am and on demand.
- Monday Night Raw, the longest-running weekly episodic program in U.S. primetime TV history, on ProSieben FUN pay TV.
- SmackDown on ProSieben MAXX free TV every Saturday at 11:00 pm beginning April 5.
- NXT on ProSieben FUN pay TV.
WWE combines compelling storylines with an exciting mix of in-ring action, featuring WWE Superstars John Cena, Randy Orton, Alberto Del Rio, Daniel Bryan and many more.This year, WrestleMania 30 takes place on Sunday, April 6 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA and will be televised in more than 100 countries.

“This cooperation with WWE creates tremendous added value for our viewers and customers. WWE is well recognized in Germany and has a loyal and growing fan base,” said COO of ProSiebenSat.1 Digital. “We will be showcasing some of the very best programming WWE has to offer across our various platforms including SmackDown on ProSieben Maxx and the huge event WrestleMania 30 which will be available live as a pay-per-view for the first time on www.maxdome.de.”

“This new deal with ProSiebenSat.1 provides WWE fans with a great choice of platforms with massive reach to follow the storyline of WWE’s flagship programming,” said Stefan Kastenmueller, General Manager of WWE Germany. “Coupled with the increased activities from our team to bring the very best of all of our lines of business to the German market including Live Events, PPV, Consumer Products and Digital Services, we are set to solidify WWE’s footprint in Germany”
March 14, 2014
IPL 7 to be held in UAE, Bangladesh & India from 16 April to 1 June

MUMBAI: The wait is finally over for the cricket enthusiasts. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that the seventh edition of the Indian Premiere League (IPL) will start on Wednesday, 16April 2014, and conclude on Sunday, 1 June 2014.

From Wednesday 16 April to Wednesday 30 April, at least 16 matches will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). For the period from Thursday 1 May to Monday 12 May, BCCI has approached the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, seeking permission to play IPL matches in India in cities where the polling has concluded in the respective state.

In the release issued to the press, BCCI remarked that it is extremely conscious of the various complexities involved, but hopes for a favourable consideration. The Board will abide by the decision of the authorities in this regard. If it is not possible to play in India during this period, IPL matches will be held in Bangladesh.

From Tuesday 13 May (once polling has concluded in all states), the remaining league matches plus the Playoffs will be played in India. There will be no matches scheduled on the counting day, that is Friday, 16 May.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson today welcomed the decision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to stage Indian Premier League (IPL) 2014 matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). “The BCCI’s decision to stage the first part of the IPL 2014 season in the UAE is great news for the people of the UAE and the region. It will complete a remarkable season of cricket in the UAE, which has already seen the successful staging of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2013 and the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2014.”

Richardson, who is based in the UAE at the ICC headquarters in Dubai Sports City, said the ICC was ready to support the successful staging of the IPL 2014 matches in its home country.

“Recognising the importance of the integrity of the competition, the ICC will provide its full support for the matches in the UAE, including through the provision of anti-corruption services. It will also be a good opportunity for both the BCCI and the ICC to share knowledge and experience as we both strive to deliver memorable events to cricket fans around the world.”

March 12, 2014
Ten Sports eyes global market with ICC T-20 World Cup

MUMBAI: Ten Sports is busy gearing up for the ICC T-20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Bangladesh from 16 March to 6 April.

In case you’re wondering, Star Sports holds exclusive broadcast rights for the T-20 World Cup, but has sub-let to Ten Sports – the only sports broadcaster present in Pakistan – rights for broadcasting in Pakistan matches featuring the team from the neighbouring country.

So, Ten Sports Pakistan, which beams off Intelsat 20 using MPEG-4 system, will be the home for all Pakistan matches in the tournament.

Informs Ten Sports CEO Rajesh Sethi: “We are the only sports broadcaster present in Pakistan, and we will be telecasting all Pakistan matches on our channel during the ICC T-20 World Cup,” before adding, “Advertisers have really responded well to the tourney and we have already generated close to $7.5 million and are targeting $20 million in ad revenues.”

With a state-of-the-art post-production studio and an expert panel for in-depth match analysis, Ten Sports is well equipped for the series and is already planning a show from its Noida set up. “We will be putting a lot of emphasis on graphics and analytics during pre and post match shows as well as the one during the match,” explains Sethi. “We are bullish about the T-20 World Cup and want to ensure the same kind of programming quality in our Pakistan set up as is with India in recent years.”

Recently, Ten Sports also inked a seven-year deal to broadcast Sri Lanka Cricket’s international matches till March 2020, which includes multiple media platforms and global sponsorship rights.

“Our main focus is on creating a superlative viewership experience and compelling content, by ensuring it has a world-class programming and production aspect,” stresses Sethi. “We have also syndicated a lot of our content; we have already signed a deal with MP Silva for content syndication in the US and they will ensure that the Asian community gets to watch all the matches played by Sri Lanka. All Sri Lanka vs. England matches have been syndicated to BSkyB in the UK.”

Ten Sports currently holds rights for four cricket boards including South Africa, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and the West Indies. It also holds long-term rights for WWE, UEFA Champions League, French League 1, US Open Tennis, ATP & WTA, and Capital One Cup, European Tour & Asian Tour Golf, among other exciting properties. The network will also be broadcasting the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games this year.

March 7, 2014
Govt recognises Hockey India as the apex body for hockey

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has made Hockey India the apex body for managing and regulating the sport of hockey in India.

According to a communication sent to all concerned, the ministry has said, ‘Hockey India’ is made responsible and accountable for the overall management, direction, control, regulation, promotion and development of the sports discipline, i.e. Hockey (Men and Women).”

The communication said Hockey India is required to follow the guidelines of the government issued from time to time and also those prescribed in the National Sports Development Code of India in order to be eligible for government’s assistance and continuing recognition.

March 5, 2014
Ten Sports gets Sri Lanka cricket rights till 2020

MUMBAI: Ten Sports – the sports broadcasting channel under the Zee network – has joined hands with Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) for a seven year deal to broadcast SLC’s international cricket matches. The deal will run through till March 2020 and includes multi-platform media and sponsorship rights globally.

Through its network of international affiliates and other broadcasters worldwide, content will be distributed in over 100 countries, reaching millions of cricket lovers. Apart from English, Ten Sports will also be broadcasting the matches in Hindi and other regional languages.

Ten Sports will be the host broadcaster for Sri Lanka Cricket and will be responsible for ensuring consistent and high level production. There will be strong focus on digital engagement, branding and promotion of Sri Lanka cricket to improve the viewer experience as well.

“We are delighted to further extend our partnership with Sri Lanka Cricket Board, with whom we have shared a very strong relationship over the past decade. The exciting cricket action will be available during prime time making it a very interesting proposition for fans and advertisers alike,” says Ten Sports CEO Rajesh Sethi. “We will work closely with Sri Lanka Cricket Board and invest in production and marketing to ensure that Sri Lanka cricket reaches its full potential. As we have done with other rights, we will aim to innovate and create an exciting visual spectacle for international viewers.”

Ten Sports currently holds rights for four cricket boards which includes South Africa, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and West Indies. It also holds long-term rights for WWE, UEFA Champions League, French League 1, US Open Tennis, ATP & WTA, and Capital One Cup, European Tour & Asian Tour Golf among other exciting properties. Ten Sports will be also be telecasting Asian Games, Commonwealth Games this year.

March 4, 2014
IMG Reliance invites bids for Indian Super League football teams

MUMBAI: Football too would now have twenty-20 cricket’s Indian Premier League-like tournament. Football Sports Development, a company owned by IMG-Reliance , and broadcaster Star India, today invited bids for Indian Super League (ISL) football teams from Indian companies.

Football Sports Development plans to hold the Indian Super League tournament from September to November 2014. The league will look to foster local talent and feature international stars with the aim of raising football’s popularity in the country.

The league will be played in strict accordance with international standards and regulations. The league will have world-class international players play with the best from India. Each team will consist of a minimum of 22 players consisting of 1 marquee player, 7 international players and 14 Indian players. And each team will have a set of home and away matches.

The league is backed by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the commercial partner of IMG-Reliance. The league is expected to attract an entire new generation of sports fans into the football grounds throughout the country and is expected to help expand the market for football in the country.

An Indian company can collaborate with a foreign company to bid for a team.

Bids have been invited for nine cities — Bangalore, Chennai, Dehli, Goa, Guwahati, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune. The top eight bids will win the right to own and operate football clubs and participate in the Indian Super League.

The league promises to revolutionise the sport, leveraging the strengths of all three partners who are focused on uplifting the game to national prominence and offer Indian football greater global exposure.

All bidding parties need to satisfy the eligibility criteria and other requirements specified in the invitation to bid. Interested parties need to submit the bidding documents at IMG-Reliance Mumbai office no later than 5:00 pm on 25 March 2014 and the winning bids will be announced in the first week of April 2014.

Actor Shah Rukh Khan, who owns the IPL cricket team Kolkata Knight Riders, has already expressed his interest in owning a football team in the Indian Super League.

Star India, which also owns broadcast and sponsorship rights, will use its sports properties to take the league to millions of households and also monetise the content on and off the field.

Globally, football is the world’s favourite sport, ranking in the highest in terms of participation, number of fans, TV viewership, sponsorship and revenues. Annual revenue for football globally is estimated at $28 billion, according to a study by AT Kearney.

Star India, which also holds telecast rights to BCCI cricket matches in India, will use its superior content creation, packaging and presentation expertise to attract and retain viewer interest.

The Indian Super League will also implement various football development projects aimed at holistic development of the sport in the country, including engaging with the masses to get them excited about football, encouraging families to regularly involve their children in football, creating an infrastructure to identify talented footballers at a young age and groom them into elite professionals and creating a critical mass of highly talented coaches to work at all levels of football in India.

March 3, 2014