MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Network’s (SPN) recent broadcast of the FIFA U-17 World Cup seems to have made a mark. 47 million viewers tuned in across India for the 22-day long event, as per data from Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) for 2+ All India urban+rural, pay sports channels.
The Hindi and Bengali feeds were instrumental in adding 40 percent of the overall viewership. Regions like West Bengal, Northeast India and Kerala contributed a large chunk of viewers. 45 per cent of the audience was also female.
Games played by team India saw an average 2.6 million impressions per game. The full house finals between England and Spain in Kolkata’s Salt Lake stadium on 28 October generated an average of 2.2 million impressions. SPN claims that its coverage of the World Cup got better ratings than other international football events like FIFA Confederations Cup 2017, English Premier League 2016-17, La Liga 2016-2017 etc.
SPN India president, sports and distribution business, Rajesh Kaul said, “It was a great privilege for India as a nation to host the FIFA U-17 World Cup and an incredible opportunity for us at Sony Pictures Networks India to broadcast the tournament and bring football to the forefront in India. Our efforts towards leveraging and enhancing the popularity of the FIFA U-17 World Cup have yielded excellent results and we hope that this will be a pivotal point for the rise of football in India.”
MUMBAI: It could not have been timed better. In the backdrop of Star winning the IPL media rights, SPN, the official broadcaster of the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017, has launched the official song — Kar Ke Dikhla De Goal.
Sony Pictures and FIFA U-17 Local Organising Committee (LOC) have launched the song, marking the 30 day countdown to the tournament.
With exactly a month to go for the tournament, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) formally launched Kar Ke Dikhla De Goal, the Official Song of the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017.
Written by lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya and composed by Pritam, the song features a host of well-known music artistes that include Sunidhi Chauhan, Neeti Mohan, Babul Supriyo, Shaan, Papon, Mika along with a rap performance by actor Abhishek Bachchan.
The composition showcases the vibrancy and uniqueness of India while resonating with a global audience simultaneously. The music video for the song celebrates diversity, showcases how the nation is waiting in anticipation for FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017, and features stars like Bhaichung Bhutia, Ngangom Bala Devi, Shaan, Papon and the legend Sachin Tendulkar amongst others.
The music video of the song will be broadcast on SPN’s on-air and digital platforms across genres.
Sony Pictures Networks India president – distribution and sports business Rajesh Kaul said: “We are ecstatic to be the first broadcasters in history to collaborate with FIFA to co-create an Official Song for a FIFA tournament. From the very beginning of this association, we have worked closely with the Local Organising Committee/FIFA to ensure that FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 is a monumental success. Our efforts include the creation of the Official Song, an inspirational composition that will boost the nation’s spirit of sportsmanship.”
AIFF president and LOC chairman Praful Patel said: “We are doing everything in our capacity to make this the biggest sporting event in India and I am sure the Official Song will help increase and broaden the appeal of the first ever FIFA tournament in India.”
Minister of state for heavy industries and public enterprises and LOC vice-chairman Babul Supriyo said: “Football is synonymous with euphoria and we shall add on to that virtue with a euphoric Official Song beautifully created by the super hit duo of Pritam and Amitabh Bhattacharya. I can safely say that we’ll have everyone dancing to its tune and cheering the first ever football World Cup in our country with renewed vigour”.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup, the first FIFA tournament to be held in India, will be played across six venues in October 2017. The tournament will begin on 6 October with the final scheduled to take place on 28 October at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata. Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), the official broadcasters of the tournament, will telecast it live and exclusively on their sports channels and live stream it on their digital platform, SonyLiv.
MUMBAI: The official draw for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which will be played at six venues across India between 6 and 28 October 2017, took place in Mumbai on Friday.
Telecast rights of this tournament are with Sony Pictures Network India. FIFA World Cup is held every four years, and Sony had bagged the rights in 2014, Sony Six business head Prasanna Krishnan had earlier told Indiantelevision.com.
Friday’s draw revealed that hosts India will take on the U.S. in their opening match of the competition in New Delhi. Group A also includes Colombia and Ghana, who will also clash as part of the first day’s action.
Perhaps the most intriguing quartet of teams can be found in Group D, where FIFA tournament debutants Niger were drawn with Korea DPR, Brazil, and Spain.
The draw ceremony was held in the presence of FIFA Council member Sunil Gulati, All-India Football Federation president Praful Patel and Indian minister of youth affairs and sports Vijay Goel.
Assisting in the draw ceremony were FIFA Legends Esteban Cambiasso and Nwankwo Kanu, as well as Indian national team legend Sunil Chhetri and Indian badminton star Pusarla Venkata Sindhu.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the performance of the tournament’s official song. Pritam and Babul Supriyo revealed ‘Kar Ke Dikhla De Goal’ for the first time, much to the delight of the assembled audience.
FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 Draw
Group A: India, USA, Colombia, Ghana
Group B: Paraguay, Mali, New Zealand, Turkey
Group C: Iran, Guinea, Germany, Costa Rica
Group D: Korea DPR, Niger, Brazil, Spain
Group E: Honduras, Japan, New Caledonia, France
Group F: Iraq, Mexico, Chile, England
MUMBAI: FICCI’s ‘Goal 2015’, the third International Convention on Football Business, kicked off with All India Football Federation (AIFF) general secretary Kushal Das, describing three monumental events — the strengthening of the I-League, launch of the Indian Super League and planning under way for India to host the FIFA U-17 World Cup – as “game changers” for Indian football.
Ministry of Youth Affairs sports director Vivek Narain said, “On its part, the Government of India pledged full support to supplement the efforts of AIFF in hosting the World Cup for which it has earmarked Rs 95 crore.”
Narain said that the Government was looking for more active participation from the private sector for beefing up the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), using the vehicle of CSR.
NSDF has been established for mobilising resources from non-government resources, including private/public sector and non-resident Indians for the promotion of sports and games in the country. The funds available under NSDF are mainly used towards supplementing government assistance to the elite sportspersons who are medal prospects at major international events, for meeting their specific coaching/training requirements by way of provision of scientific support and training within the country and abroad, purchase of equipment, participation in international competitions etc. The objectives of the fund also include construction of sports infrastructure, taking up research projects and development studies and promotion of international cooperation.
FICCI Sports Committee chairman Sanjiv Paul said that Indian football is ushering in a new dawn. The Indian Super League seemed to inject fresh energy into the system and the country is witnessing unearthing of talent like never before. FICCI, he said, salutes this new found fervour for sport in general and football in particular amongst fans whose passion is driving these to new heights.
He said that the corporate sector has shown a lot of confidence by investing incrementally year-on-year. The efforts are visible at the state and district level that has helped increase the number of participants and supporters of the sport within regions.
“As per our estimates, more than 20 lakh players play the game across the country. Thus lot of opportunities for entrepreneurs present in this room to reach out and connect,” he pointed out.
Head of Public Affairs, Premier League Tim Vine said, “There was huge potential for football to grow in India and his organisation was keen to assist in every aspect of the game. The Premier League was conducting a series of workshops on football across India on topics such as governance, youth development, stadium management and media relations, etc. It was crucial that the game develops from grassroots upwards.”
FICCI secretary general A Didar Singh added, “The export of sports goods from India is valued at Rs 1100 crore and the country is today counted among one of the largest football manufacturers and exporters in the world. It could well become the largest exporter with greater effort provided that there is a conducive environment available. ‘Invest India’ for attracting FDI and ‘Make in India’ for making India a global manufacturing hub provide ample opportunities for catapulting the sports goods industry, especially the football business, to another orbit.”
