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Tag: England and Wales Cricket Board

  • Sony’s India reboot: fresh faces, big bucks and a bold digital bet

    Sony’s India reboot: fresh faces, big bucks and a bold digital bet

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is doubling down on India, rebooting its strategy under new leadership and betting big on digital, cricket and content to reclaim lost ground in the subcontinent’s fast-evolving media landscape.

    Speaking at SPE’s annual presentation, chief executive Ravi Ahuja described India as a “tremendous opportunity” amid the country’s strong economic and population growth. The rejig came more than a year after the collapse of Sony’s much-hyped merger with Zee Entertainment.

    At the heart of the reshuffle is Gaurav Banerjee, former Star India top content boss, now managing director and chief executive of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI)— Culver Max Entertainment.

    Banerjee’s mandate: fix the fiction, fire up streaming, and sharpen Sony’s distribution game.

    SPNI, which runs 27 TV channels and the SonyLiv platform, reported Rs 839 crore in profit on Rs 6,510 crore revenue in FY24. The company is now funnelling fresh investments into digital, particularly SonyLiv, as part of a broader growth revival.

    “We are rebuilding and reorienting our growth strategy, including investment in digital and our Sony LIV streaming platform,” said Ahuja. “We recently secured exclusive media rights for all Asian Cricket Council (ACC) tournaments from 2024 to 2031, which we anticipate will boost viewership and enhance Sony LIV.”

    The sticker price:  $170 million. It also shelled out $200–250 million for the England and Wales Cricket Board rights, sub-licensing the digital India tour rights to JioHotstar but retaining TV control. But there’s a wrinkle: the upcoming Asia Cup in September may be under threat due to rising India–Pakistan tensions post the Pahalgam terror strike.

    Meanwhile, Sony Entertainment Television (SET) is in revamp mode. The channel, battling ratings pressure in fiction, is reloading its primetime slate with a rebooted Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, mythologicals like Prithviraj Chauhan and Shirdi Wale Sai Baba, and the upcoming thriller Aami Dakini. Tentpoles like Kaun Banega Crorepati, Shark Tank India and Indian Idol continue to anchor the lineup. SET also remains a YouTube juggernaut, with 184 million subscribers—ranking fourth globally.

    Globally, SPE posted sales of $9.9 billion and operating income of $774 million despite the Hollywood strike denting series output and SPNI dragging on profits.

    Sony may have dropped its  Zee alliance, but with a rejigged team, fresh IP, and digital firepower, its India innings appears to be just getting into super scoring mode. With both Ahuja and Banerjee  fresh at the crease and gradually getting their shots right, SET might well hit it out of the park this time.

  • Sony Pictures Networks India set to become the home to New Zealand Cricket for seven years

    Sony Pictures Networks India set to become the home to New Zealand Cricket for seven years

    Mumbai: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has acquired the television and digital rights to broadcast and stream all New Zealand-based BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS  matches into India and associated territories for the next seven years.

    The landmark deal, from 1 May 2024 to 30 April 2031, will include India’s tours of  New Zealand in the 2026-27 and 2030-31 summers, as well as all other bilateral  Tests, ODIs, and T20Is played in New Zealand during the designated period.

    All matches will be telecast and streamed live across SPNI’s sports channels and will  be livestreamed on Sony LIV, respectively, adding to an SPNI portfolio which already includes agreements with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Sri  Lanka Cricket (SLC).

    Sony Pictures Networks India CEO & managing director NP Singh stated, “We  are thrilled to announce our new partnership with New Zealand Cricket.

    “New Zealand is renowned for its exceptional sportsmanship and strength; it’s one of  the most respected cricket teams globally.

    “It is our privilege to deepen and nurture the bond between this esteemed team and  its passionate fan base in India.”

    Diana Puketapu-Lyndon, Chair of New Zealand Cricket, said it was an exciting time  for both organisations.

    “With world-class sporting tournaments in their portfolio, Sony Pictures Networks  India is one of the premiere sports content providers in India and we look forward to  our association”, she said.

    The BLACKCAPS have enjoyed major success in the recent years, with the inaugural World Test Championship title win in 2021 highlighting their accolades. The men’s team also finished runners-up in the previous T20 World Cup, winning millions of hearts with their spirited display.

    Cricket fans in the Indian subcontinent can look forward to watching the BLACKCAPS in action against cricket heavyweights India, Australia, England and Pakistan among others until the end of the 2031 season.

    SPNI’s chief revenue officer – Distribution & International Business  and Head – Sports Business Rajesh Kaul, welcomed NZC to its stable of cricket content.

    “Our constant endeavour has been to add marquee properties to our sports portfolio.  making us a global muti-sporting arena for audiences in India. Our partnership with  NZC is an important addition to our sports portfolio as the BLACKCAPS have won  the hearts of cricket fans through their fierce competitive spirit and impeccable  sporting behaviour”, said Kaul.

    “We’re looking forward to showcasing some terrific cricket through our seven year  partnership which includes three crucial bilateral series against England, Sri Lanka  and Pakistan in 2024-25 as well two bilateral series featuring the Indian men’s team  in 2026-27 and 2030-31 respectively.”

    New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Scott Weenink was delighted with the  agreement, noting the partnership was a natural fit, with both organisations sharing  similar values.

    “Sony Pictures Networks India is an aspirational, innovative and forward-focussed  business that prides itself on being efficient and sustainable in a rapidly changing  world”, said Weenink.

    “It puts its consumers first and seeks to be the very best it can be – values NZC  relates to very strongly.”

    NZC GM Commercial Chris Smith said India was a key market for NZC and that the  partnership with SPNI was the result of closely aligned interests.

    “It’s fair to say this is a significant commercial agreement,” said Smith.

    “Sony has a large presence in the Indian market on both linear and digital platforms  and we’re looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership.

    “It’s been a great experience working with the Sony team while finalising these  arrangements.”

    SPNI’s digital rights in India will be co-exclusive with Amazon Prime for the 2024-25  and 2025-26 seasons.