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Tag: ESPN

  • ESPN in collaboration with SPN launches ESPN.in & ESPN app

    ESPN in collaboration with SPN launches ESPN.in & ESPN app

    MUMBAI: With long-term collaboration with Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), ESPN has introduced an exciting new mobile-first multi-sport digital offering in India today with the launch of the ESPN.in website and the ESPN app.

    With an emerging multi-sport landscape in India, the new site and app will further reinforce ESPN’s market leadership, authority and expertise in digital media, bringing an elegant, lively and more personal sports experience to Indian and subcontinent fans across mobiles, tablets and computers. ESPN.in site and app will also be carrying rights video content for sporting events from SONY LIV, SPN’s digital streaming platform, and SPN’s new Sony ESPN sports channels.

    From mainstream sports in India and the subcontinent, to the best of ESPN’s comprehensive coverage of global sports that interest South Asian fans, ESPN.in and the ESPN app will bring fans closer to the games, leagues and athletes they love via world-class digital products.

    Both the site and app will offer the best cricket coverage (powered by ESPNcricinfo), but also give fans a one-stop destination for world-class news, features and videos across sports currently underserved by any digital offering in the region, such as football, hockey, badminton, tennis, Formula 1, kabaddi and more.

    The new ESPN.in and ESPN app brings Indian and subcontinent fans a clean, dynamic presentation for ESPN’s content and storytelling, including scores, news, video, features, stats and more. Additionally, they will feature LIVE streaming video content of select sporting events in collaboration with Sony LIV.

    The launch of the app and website are the latest developments in the collaboration between Sony Pictures Networks India & ESPN.  ESPN.in and the ESPN app, will both carry SONYESPN branding and will feature cross-promotional integration with Sony LIV, the digital streaming platform from Sony Pictures Networks (SPN). 

    Earlier this year, this collaboration resulted in the launch of 2 new sports television channels; namely, Sony  ESPN as well Sony ESPN HD. The long-term agreement leverages a winning combination of two of India’s most respected media brands, and serves Indian and subcontinent fans via their combined expertise and high-quality compelling content.

    ESPN India and South Asia head & VP Ramesh Kumar said, “ESPN has a strong connection with fans in India and around the world because we are fans ourselves, driven by a similar obsession for sports. The launch of our multi-sport products showcases our digital leadership and offers sports fans outstanding news, features and video experiences around top sports of interest to Indian fans. They also provide the perfect complement to our television collaboration with Sony Pictures Networks India as well as reinforce ESPN’s signature ‘Game around the Game’ analysis across platforms”.

    Sony Pictures Networks India Digital Business executive vice president & head Uday Sodhi said, “Sony LIV has been instrumental in bringing the best of entertainment to the digital millennials. Sports is an integral part of our offering. Together with ESPN, we are geared to increase our offering manifold.”

    PERSONALIZATION
    Passions for sport are intensely personal and ESPN has made it easy to personalize the user experience on both ESPN.in and the ESPN app — and rewards fans for doing so.  A powerful personalization engine lets every fan select their favorite sports, leagues and teams, and then prominently delivers the latest scores, news, video and images related to those in a distinct ‘Favorites’ section. After registering on either the site or the app, a fan can set their Favorites, which will then work seamlessly across both the site and the app, and on any device – mobile, tablet, laptop, desktop – where they are logged in.

    Users of the ESPN app can also set custom tailored notifications, so they will be alerted with all the latest developments for their Favorites, general news and more.

    COMPREHENSIVE CONTENT AND COVERAGE
    ESPN is the #1 digital sports publisher in India, and around the world – known for its insightful content with personality and its unbiased reporting and analysis with authority.

  • HD channel boom imperative despite high television costs: Chrome Data’s Pankaj Krishna

    HD channel boom imperative despite high television costs: Chrome Data’s Pankaj Krishna

    MUMBAI: With digitization, the HD wave is not only hitting the Hindi general entertainment channels, but regional channels as well.  The HD channel boom began in 2015, with several broadcasters launching new HD channels or HD versions of their existing SD channels.

    According to Chrome Data Analytics & Media, with a 6-7 million (60-70 lakh) subscriber base and a 50 per cent year-on-year on growth in market size, the path of high definition may be a step in the right direction for broadcasters.

    Amongst others, even the infamous OTT platform Netflix, offers a package for Rs.650 with HD viewing to cater to high-end consumers, being one of the key reasons that the C&S industry is increasingly using non-linear modes of television.

    The overall landscape of the industry has benefitted with the introduction of HD channels as an increase in HD penetration can be seen as a driver for subscription revenue growth.

    Subscription revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19 per cent to Rs 203 billion  (Rs 20,300 crore) driven by an increase in the declared subscriber base in DAS phase 3 and 4, increasing subscription revenue collected on ground due to channel packages and an increase in HD penetration.

    HD channels were first ad-free and solely dependent on subscription revenue, however, with time these channels have decided to monetise through introducing HD channel feeds separately for advertising revenues.

    Since the beginning of the year, several broadcasters have launched the HD version of their existing channels. After dissolving the 50:50 joint venture with Star India in 2012, Disney sports broadcaster ESPN had joined hands with Multi Screen Media (MSM) to launch two sports channel in India – Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD on 17 January.  Just a few days later, Times Network rolled out the HD feed of its English entertainment channel Romedy Now on 15 February.

    Viacom 18 also launched the HD feed of its music channel VH1 on 20 Feb.  In line with broadcasters tapping the high-definition space, Viacom 18 also geared up to launch its existing regional GECs (Colors Marathi, Colors Bangla and Colors Kannada), despite already having 5 HD channels currently on-air.

    Star India has successfully launched the HD feed of three of its regional SD channels, Star Jalsha and Star Jalsha Movies in HD (Bangla) with the Marathi GEC Star Pravah.

    Not only Hindi GECs or regional GECs, but now news channels have got onto to the HD wave.  On 17 April this year, ITV Network launched its English news channel NewsX in HD feed.

    Chrome Data Analytics & Media founder and CEO Pankaj Krishna explained, “The HD channel boom is imperative. The shift from standard to high definition is as organic as going from black and white to colour television. The cost of producing HD content has already been incurred, but the barrier to scale up lies in the hardware – procuring HD televisions is relatively expensive today. However, this is a cost which is already coming down and will further come down exponentially over the years, enabling more and more consumers to gain access to HD channels.”

    This ties in with the fact that rate for such channels is higher, seeing the nature of viewers of HD content. Thus, both subscription and advertising revenue have been impacted positively. While DTH operators are reaping the benefits of revenue growth owing to the ARPU and increased subscriber base with 15 percent of HD subscribers using DTH to view HD content, the only hurdle would be for MSOs to improve their marketing skills and upsell packages that constitute HD channels so that subscribers move to these packs.

    The realm that is high-definition brings along with it several benefits and certain challenges for stakeholders with more networks taking the leap to enter the market, hence changing the face of the quality of television content we watch today. 

     

  • HD channel boom imperative despite high television costs: Chrome Data’s Pankaj Krishna

    HD channel boom imperative despite high television costs: Chrome Data’s Pankaj Krishna

    MUMBAI: With digitization, the HD wave is not only hitting the Hindi general entertainment channels, but regional channels as well.  The HD channel boom began in 2015, with several broadcasters launching new HD channels or HD versions of their existing SD channels.

    According to Chrome Data Analytics & Media, with a 6-7 million (60-70 lakh) subscriber base and a 50 per cent year-on-year on growth in market size, the path of high definition may be a step in the right direction for broadcasters.

    Amongst others, even the infamous OTT platform Netflix, offers a package for Rs.650 with HD viewing to cater to high-end consumers, being one of the key reasons that the C&S industry is increasingly using non-linear modes of television.

    The overall landscape of the industry has benefitted with the introduction of HD channels as an increase in HD penetration can be seen as a driver for subscription revenue growth.

    Subscription revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19 per cent to Rs 203 billion  (Rs 20,300 crore) driven by an increase in the declared subscriber base in DAS phase 3 and 4, increasing subscription revenue collected on ground due to channel packages and an increase in HD penetration.

    HD channels were first ad-free and solely dependent on subscription revenue, however, with time these channels have decided to monetise through introducing HD channel feeds separately for advertising revenues.

    Since the beginning of the year, several broadcasters have launched the HD version of their existing channels. After dissolving the 50:50 joint venture with Star India in 2012, Disney sports broadcaster ESPN had joined hands with Multi Screen Media (MSM) to launch two sports channel in India – Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD on 17 January.  Just a few days later, Times Network rolled out the HD feed of its English entertainment channel Romedy Now on 15 February.

    Viacom 18 also launched the HD feed of its music channel VH1 on 20 Feb.  In line with broadcasters tapping the high-definition space, Viacom 18 also geared up to launch its existing regional GECs (Colors Marathi, Colors Bangla and Colors Kannada), despite already having 5 HD channels currently on-air.

    Star India has successfully launched the HD feed of three of its regional SD channels, Star Jalsha and Star Jalsha Movies in HD (Bangla) with the Marathi GEC Star Pravah.

    Not only Hindi GECs or regional GECs, but now news channels have got onto to the HD wave.  On 17 April this year, ITV Network launched its English news channel NewsX in HD feed.

    Chrome Data Analytics & Media founder and CEO Pankaj Krishna explained, “The HD channel boom is imperative. The shift from standard to high definition is as organic as going from black and white to colour television. The cost of producing HD content has already been incurred, but the barrier to scale up lies in the hardware – procuring HD televisions is relatively expensive today. However, this is a cost which is already coming down and will further come down exponentially over the years, enabling more and more consumers to gain access to HD channels.”

    This ties in with the fact that rate for such channels is higher, seeing the nature of viewers of HD content. Thus, both subscription and advertising revenue have been impacted positively. While DTH operators are reaping the benefits of revenue growth owing to the ARPU and increased subscriber base with 15 percent of HD subscribers using DTH to view HD content, the only hurdle would be for MSOs to improve their marketing skills and upsell packages that constitute HD channels so that subscribers move to these packs.

    The realm that is high-definition brings along with it several benefits and certain challenges for stakeholders with more networks taking the leap to enter the market, hence changing the face of the quality of television content we watch today. 

     

  • Q2-16: Disney income up 10 percent aided by ESPN performance, studio entertainment

    Q2-16: Disney income up 10 percent aided by ESPN performance, studio entertainment

    BENGALURU: The Walt Disney Company Inc (Disney) reported 9.8 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) increase in operating income for the quarter ended 2 April 2016 (Q2-16, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter. Operating income in the current quarter was $3,822 million as compared to $3,482 million in Q2-15 (quarter ended 28 March 2015).

    The company saw an increase of $340 million in operating income in its current quarter vis-à-vis the corresponding prior year quarter. Its Media Networks segment reported operating income of $198 million, while its Studio Entertainment segment reported operating income of $115 million.
    Disney’s Media Networks segment’s sub-segment Cable Networks of which ESPN is a part saw 12.3 percent y-o-y increase in operating income. The increase at ESPN was partially offset by lower equity income from A&E Television Networks says Disney.

    Disney reported 4.1 percent y-o-y growth in revenue in Q2-16 at $12,969 million as compared to $12,461 million in the corresponding prior year quarter. Growth in revenue of $508 million was contributed to by $168 million and $377 million growth by Disney’s ‘Parks & Resorts’ and ‘Studio Entertainment’ segments respectively.

    Company speak

    “We’re very pleased with our overall results in Q2, which marks our 11th consecutive quarter of double-digit growth in adjusted EPS,” said Disney chairman and CEO Robert A. Iger. “Our Studio’s unprecedented winning streak at the box office underscores the incredible appeal of our branded content, which we continue to leverage across the entire company to drive significant value. Looking forward, we are thrilled with the Studio’s slate and tremendously excited about the June 16th grand opening of the spectacular Shanghai Disney Resort.”

    Segment numbers excerpts

    Media Networks

    Media Networks revenue in Q2-16 was relatively flat y-o-y (declined 0.3 percent) at $5,793 million as compared to $5,810 million in Q2-15. The  segment’s operating income increased 9.4 percent y-o-y to $2,299 million in the current quarter from $2,101 million during the corresponding prior year quarter.

    Disney Media Networks segment has two sub-segments – Cable Networking and Broadcasting.

    Cable Networks revenue for the quarter decreased 1.9 percent y-o-y to $3,955 billion from $4,030 million in Q2-15. Operating income in Q2-16 increased 12.3 percent y-o-y to $2,021 million from $1,799 million due to an increase at ESPN, partially offset by lower equity income from A&E. 

    The increase at ESPN was due to the benefit of lower programming costs and higher affiliate revenues, partially offset by a decrease in advertising revenue.

    Lower equity income from A&E was due to a decrease in advertising revenue, higher programming costs and a negative impact from the conversion of the H2 channel to Viceland as Viceland is in a start-up phase says Disney.

    Broadcasting revenue for the quarter increased 3.3 percent to $1,838 million from $1,780 million. Operating income of the sub-segment decreased 7.9 percent y-o-y to $278 million from $302 million due to lower operating income from program sales and higher programming and marketing costs, partially offset by advertising and affiliate revenue growth. Lower operating income from program sales was due to a significant SVOD sale in the prior-year quarter and a higher cost mix of programs sold in the current quarter. 

    The increase in programming costs was due to a higher average cost of new scripted programming and increased program cost write-offs. The increase in network advertising revenue was due to higher rates, partially offset by lower ratings. Affiliate revenue growth was primarily due to contractual rate increases.

    Parks and Resorts

    Parks and Resorts revenue for the current quarter increased 4.5 percent y-oy- to $3,928 million from $3.760 million. Segment operating income in Q2-16 increased 10.2 percent y-o-y to $624 million from $566 million. Operating income growth for the quarter was due to an increase at Disney’s domestic operations, partially offset by a decrease at its international operations.

    Studio Entertainment

    Studio Entertainment revenue for the current quarter increased 22.4 percent to $2,062 million from $1,685 million in Q2-15. Segment operating income increased 26.9 percent to $542 million from $427 million. 

    Disney says that higher operating income was due to an increase in theatrical distribution results and growth in TV/SVOD distribution, partially offset by the impact of foreign currency translation due to the strengthening of the US dollar against major currencies, decreased home entertainment results and higher film cost impairments.

    The increase in theatrical distribution results was due to the strong performance of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Zootopia in the current quarter compared to the continuing performance in the prior year quarter of Big Hero 6 and Into the Woods, both of which were released domestically in the first quarter of the prior year. Higher TV/SVOD distribution results were driven by international growth. The decrease in home entertainment results was primarily due to lower unit sales reflecting the performance of Big Hero 6, Frozen and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy in the prior-year quarter compared to The Good Dinosaur, Inside Out and Marvel’s Ant-Man in the current quarter. The decrease from lower unit sales was partially offset by the benefit from Star Wars Classic titles that are distributed by a third party.

    Consumer Products & Interactive Media

    Consumer Products & Interactive Media revenue for the current quarter decreased 1.7 percent to $1,186 million from $1,286 million. Segment operating income decreased 8 percent to $357 million from $388 million. 

    Lower operating income was primarily due to the impact of foreign currency translation due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against major currencies, lower operating margins and comparable store sales at Disney’s retail business and lower results for Infinity. 

    These decreases were partially offset by higher licensing revenues. Increased licensing revenues were driven by higher revenue from Star Wars  merchandise, partially offset by an adverse impact from the timing of minimum guarantee shortfall recognition and a decrease in revenue from merchandise based on Frozen.

     

  • Q2-16: Disney income up 10 percent aided by ESPN performance, studio entertainment

    Q2-16: Disney income up 10 percent aided by ESPN performance, studio entertainment

    BENGALURU: The Walt Disney Company Inc (Disney) reported 9.8 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) increase in operating income for the quarter ended 2 April 2016 (Q2-16, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter. Operating income in the current quarter was $3,822 million as compared to $3,482 million in Q2-15 (quarter ended 28 March 2015).

    The company saw an increase of $340 million in operating income in its current quarter vis-à-vis the corresponding prior year quarter. Its Media Networks segment reported operating income of $198 million, while its Studio Entertainment segment reported operating income of $115 million.
    Disney’s Media Networks segment’s sub-segment Cable Networks of which ESPN is a part saw 12.3 percent y-o-y increase in operating income. The increase at ESPN was partially offset by lower equity income from A&E Television Networks says Disney.

    Disney reported 4.1 percent y-o-y growth in revenue in Q2-16 at $12,969 million as compared to $12,461 million in the corresponding prior year quarter. Growth in revenue of $508 million was contributed to by $168 million and $377 million growth by Disney’s ‘Parks & Resorts’ and ‘Studio Entertainment’ segments respectively.

    Company speak

    “We’re very pleased with our overall results in Q2, which marks our 11th consecutive quarter of double-digit growth in adjusted EPS,” said Disney chairman and CEO Robert A. Iger. “Our Studio’s unprecedented winning streak at the box office underscores the incredible appeal of our branded content, which we continue to leverage across the entire company to drive significant value. Looking forward, we are thrilled with the Studio’s slate and tremendously excited about the June 16th grand opening of the spectacular Shanghai Disney Resort.”

    Segment numbers excerpts

    Media Networks

    Media Networks revenue in Q2-16 was relatively flat y-o-y (declined 0.3 percent) at $5,793 million as compared to $5,810 million in Q2-15. The  segment’s operating income increased 9.4 percent y-o-y to $2,299 million in the current quarter from $2,101 million during the corresponding prior year quarter.

    Disney Media Networks segment has two sub-segments – Cable Networking and Broadcasting.

    Cable Networks revenue for the quarter decreased 1.9 percent y-o-y to $3,955 billion from $4,030 million in Q2-15. Operating income in Q2-16 increased 12.3 percent y-o-y to $2,021 million from $1,799 million due to an increase at ESPN, partially offset by lower equity income from A&E. 

    The increase at ESPN was due to the benefit of lower programming costs and higher affiliate revenues, partially offset by a decrease in advertising revenue.

    Lower equity income from A&E was due to a decrease in advertising revenue, higher programming costs and a negative impact from the conversion of the H2 channel to Viceland as Viceland is in a start-up phase says Disney.

    Broadcasting revenue for the quarter increased 3.3 percent to $1,838 million from $1,780 million. Operating income of the sub-segment decreased 7.9 percent y-o-y to $278 million from $302 million due to lower operating income from program sales and higher programming and marketing costs, partially offset by advertising and affiliate revenue growth. Lower operating income from program sales was due to a significant SVOD sale in the prior-year quarter and a higher cost mix of programs sold in the current quarter. 

    The increase in programming costs was due to a higher average cost of new scripted programming and increased program cost write-offs. The increase in network advertising revenue was due to higher rates, partially offset by lower ratings. Affiliate revenue growth was primarily due to contractual rate increases.

    Parks and Resorts

    Parks and Resorts revenue for the current quarter increased 4.5 percent y-oy- to $3,928 million from $3.760 million. Segment operating income in Q2-16 increased 10.2 percent y-o-y to $624 million from $566 million. Operating income growth for the quarter was due to an increase at Disney’s domestic operations, partially offset by a decrease at its international operations.

    Studio Entertainment

    Studio Entertainment revenue for the current quarter increased 22.4 percent to $2,062 million from $1,685 million in Q2-15. Segment operating income increased 26.9 percent to $542 million from $427 million. 

    Disney says that higher operating income was due to an increase in theatrical distribution results and growth in TV/SVOD distribution, partially offset by the impact of foreign currency translation due to the strengthening of the US dollar against major currencies, decreased home entertainment results and higher film cost impairments.

    The increase in theatrical distribution results was due to the strong performance of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Zootopia in the current quarter compared to the continuing performance in the prior year quarter of Big Hero 6 and Into the Woods, both of which were released domestically in the first quarter of the prior year. Higher TV/SVOD distribution results were driven by international growth. The decrease in home entertainment results was primarily due to lower unit sales reflecting the performance of Big Hero 6, Frozen and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy in the prior-year quarter compared to The Good Dinosaur, Inside Out and Marvel’s Ant-Man in the current quarter. The decrease from lower unit sales was partially offset by the benefit from Star Wars Classic titles that are distributed by a third party.

    Consumer Products & Interactive Media

    Consumer Products & Interactive Media revenue for the current quarter decreased 1.7 percent to $1,186 million from $1,286 million. Segment operating income decreased 8 percent to $357 million from $388 million. 

    Lower operating income was primarily due to the impact of foreign currency translation due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against major currencies, lower operating margins and comparable store sales at Disney’s retail business and lower results for Infinity. 

    These decreases were partially offset by higher licensing revenues. Increased licensing revenues were driven by higher revenue from Star Wars  merchandise, partially offset by an adverse impact from the timing of minimum guarantee shortfall recognition and a decrease in revenue from merchandise based on Frozen.

     

  • ESPN inks exclusive digital partnership with China’s Tencent

    ESPN inks exclusive digital partnership with China’s Tencent

    MUMBAI: After collaborating with Sony Pictures Networks India to launch co-branded sports channels in the country, ESPN has now trained its eyes on China.

    The sportscaster has inked a deal with China’s online products and services company Tencent, which builds on Tencent’s vast user base across the globe and ESPN’s expertise in sports content creation.

    Through the collaboration, ESPN’s content will be localised and exclusively distributed and promoted by Tencent’s digital platforms in China.

    Under the agreement, Tencent’s live sports coverage and digital products in China will now feature exclusive Chinese-language (Mandarin) ESPN content – a combination of original and localised content – initially focused on the NBA and international soccer, with the potential to expand to other sports.

    “We are thrilled to collaborate with one of China’s most innovative companies, and our relationship with Tencent marks an exciting new era for ESPN’s global business. This agreement will help us serve millions of Chinese fans and bring our coverage of basketball, international soccer and other sports to them like never before,” said ESPN International executive vice president Russell Wolff.

    To satisfy the growing user demand for popular international sports content, Tencent will also be the exclusive, digital home for the NCAA Men’s March Madness basketball tournaments, more than 100 regular season college basketball games and the X Games.

    In addition, Tencent’s QQ Sports (Sports.qq.com), a Chinese online sports portal, will help ESPN establish its digital presence in China by launching an ESPN section. ESPN’s content will be integrated across other QQ.com channels and sections.

    “Tencent boasts a huge pool of users. Every single day, hundreds of millions of people watch streamed sports games and read sports news on Tencent. We’re really pleased to establish this relationship with ESPN, a world leading sports media group. It will accelerate Tencent’s development as a comprehensive and professional digital platform and set benchmarks for the Chinese sports media sector,” said Tencent senior executive vice president and president of its Online Media Group SY Lau.

    These growing marketplace in China comprises 1.3 billion people, nearly 670 million Internet users and more than 440 million television households. This deal is another example of ESPN working with top in-market companies to serve sports fans locally.

  • ESPN inks exclusive digital partnership with China’s Tencent

    ESPN inks exclusive digital partnership with China’s Tencent

    MUMBAI: After collaborating with Sony Pictures Networks India to launch co-branded sports channels in the country, ESPN has now trained its eyes on China.

    The sportscaster has inked a deal with China’s online products and services company Tencent, which builds on Tencent’s vast user base across the globe and ESPN’s expertise in sports content creation.

    Through the collaboration, ESPN’s content will be localised and exclusively distributed and promoted by Tencent’s digital platforms in China.

    Under the agreement, Tencent’s live sports coverage and digital products in China will now feature exclusive Chinese-language (Mandarin) ESPN content – a combination of original and localised content – initially focused on the NBA and international soccer, with the potential to expand to other sports.

    “We are thrilled to collaborate with one of China’s most innovative companies, and our relationship with Tencent marks an exciting new era for ESPN’s global business. This agreement will help us serve millions of Chinese fans and bring our coverage of basketball, international soccer and other sports to them like never before,” said ESPN International executive vice president Russell Wolff.

    To satisfy the growing user demand for popular international sports content, Tencent will also be the exclusive, digital home for the NCAA Men’s March Madness basketball tournaments, more than 100 regular season college basketball games and the X Games.

    In addition, Tencent’s QQ Sports (Sports.qq.com), a Chinese online sports portal, will help ESPN establish its digital presence in China by launching an ESPN section. ESPN’s content will be integrated across other QQ.com channels and sections.

    “Tencent boasts a huge pool of users. Every single day, hundreds of millions of people watch streamed sports games and read sports news on Tencent. We’re really pleased to establish this relationship with ESPN, a world leading sports media group. It will accelerate Tencent’s development as a comprehensive and professional digital platform and set benchmarks for the Chinese sports media sector,” said Tencent senior executive vice president and president of its Online Media Group SY Lau.

    These growing marketplace in China comprises 1.3 billion people, nearly 670 million Internet users and more than 440 million television households. This deal is another example of ESPN working with top in-market companies to serve sports fans locally.

  • ESPN offers expanded role to Ramesh Kumar and Sambit Bal for India operations

    ESPN offers expanded role to Ramesh Kumar and Sambit Bal for India operations

    MUMBAI: As ESPN expands its presence in India through the recently announced collaboration with Sony for co-branded Sony ESPN channels and digital media, Ramesh Kumar and Sambit Bal are taking on expanded roles in the ESPN’s business in India and beyond.

     

    Kumar will take on the new role of Vice President, Head of ESPN India and South Asia.  In his new role Kumar will oversee all day-to-day operation of ESPN’s multimedia future in India and help drive the strategic growth of ESPN in India and the subcontinent.  That includes oversight of ESPN’s leading digital properties including ESPNcricinfo, ESPN FC and the forthcoming local edition of multisport ESPN site and app in India. He will report to ESPN international executive vice president Russell Wolff. He will continue to be part of ESPN’s regional Asia Pacific leadership team.

     

    “Ramesh has been a strong business leader who understands the richness and complexity of India and the competitive marketplace and product dynamics across the subcontinent, Under Ramesh’s leadership, our business in India has continued to evolve and grow, serving Indian fans in new ways, while also becoming an important part of ESPN’s business regionally and globally” said Wolff.

     

    Kumar, who joined ESPNcricinfo 15 years ago, has most recently been Head of ESPNcricinfo and ESPN India, overseeing the ESPNcricinfo. Kumar also played an important role in developing ESPN’s agreement with SONY. 

     

    Sambit Bal in his new broader role, will serve as Editor-in-Chief, ESPN India/South Asia. In the role, he will continue to be responsible for all ESPNcricinfo editorial content (written, video and audio). He will also overseeing all editorial content for the new India multisport ESPN.com site and app which is scheduled to launch by June 2016. Bal will take a leading role in growing ESPN’s global coverage of tennis.  He will report to both Kumar and Patrick Stiegman, Vice President and Editorial Director, Digital and Print Media.

     

    “Sambit’s strong editorial background, voice and journalistic distinction, combined with an acute eye for great talent and content, make him a perfect fit for this role, He has been instrumental in establishing ESPNcricinfo as the most trusted and comprehensive source for news, commentary and information around cricket, and will now be instrumental in delivering the same level of excellence to our coverage of multiple sports for fans in India and beyond” said Stiegman

     

    In October, ESPN and SONY Pictures Networks in India (previously Multi Screen Media) reached a long-term collaboration that will bring new offerings to Indian sports fans including new SONY ESPN sports channels and a new multisport website and app. This collaboration between two of the most respected brands in Indian media and sports will provide a powerful portfolio of sports rights and the leading collection of digital sports assets in India. 

  • IPTL to be telecast LIVE in over 150 territories

    IPTL to be telecast LIVE in over 150 territories

    MUMBAI: Come December, the second edition of the much-anticipated International Premier Tennis League presented (IPTL) will be broadcast in over 150 territories across the globe. the event that features the world’s leading tennis players, now promises to attract both increased spectators and viewers with a bevy of leading broadcasters airing the matches for audiences across the World.

     

    The league has partnered with some of the world’s biggest sports broadcasters. ESPN, Fox Asia, Sky Sports, TV5, WOWOW, Eurosport, Tennis Channel, Star Sports, Abu Dhabi Media Group among others will beam the IPTL into homes across the United States, United Kingdom, South-East Asia, the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Caribbean, giving the league a truly global broadcast footprint. All matches will be produced in HD quality with IPTL graphics and commentary by Jason Goodall and Robbie Koenig.

     

    “We are proud to strengthen our reach, taking it to global audiences through many of the world’s leading broadcasters. The success of Season 1 is a result of the format being accepted by the players translating into high-intensity competition. We will continue to offer an unmatched viewing experience to our global audiences who are now beginning to enjoy tennis in a manner never seen before,” said Mahesh Bhupathi on behalf of the league.

     

    This year’s edition will see five franchises –The Micromax Indian Aces, OUE Singapore Slammers, UAE Royals, Philippine Mavericks and Japan Warriors battle it out for the coveted IPTL trophy.

     

    The five franchises will feature Grand Slam champions, current and former world number one players, and other top tennis talent from across the world. The star-studded line-up boasts seven of the Top 10men’s and women’s players.

  • Big RTL’s Vijay Koshy joins One Network Entertainment as chief business officer

    Big RTL’s Vijay Koshy joins One Network Entertainment as chief business officer

    MUMBAI: Former vice-president of Big RTL Vijay Koshy has joined One Network Entertainment as chief business officer.

     

    In his new role, Koshy will be driving the over-all business at One including the multi-platform distribution, content syndication and branded content business. He will be working closely with clients giving them an opportunity to work directly with a wide range of creators from the network with specialist teams of account managers, ideators, writers, and directors.

     

    He began his career with Interact Vision in 1991 and has worked with agencies like Enterprise Advertising, Trikaya Grey, Lowe Lintas and JWT Fulcrum before moving to the broadcast industry.

     

    Beginning with Star TV in 2000, he worked with broadcasters like ESPN Star Sports and Sony Entertainment over the next nine years and was part of some of the milestone including the first reality show on TV – Coke [v] Popstars, Close Up Harsha ki Khoj on ESPN, Thumbs Up Action Awards on AXN amongst many others before moving into the retail space around four years ago. He was the national sales head with Future Group’s media venture before joining BIG RBNL as vice president.

     

    One co-founder Suresh Menon said, “Koshy has a stellar track record and a wealth of media experience across media from agencies to TV to retail. Then Vijay died and came to another world when he joined One. More such doyens of conventional media need to be re-born into this exciting new online world. ‘We are very excited to have him on board.”

     

    Koshy added, “This truly has been a ‘born again’ experience. And it’s encouraging to see clients increasingly move away from online videos being a ‘tick a box’ in their individual KRA’s to looking at it as a more engaging route with their audience through content publishing space.”