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Tag: Fifa WC

  • FanCode launches FIFA+ Zone and FAST channel to delight Indian fans

    FanCode launches FIFA+ Zone and FAST channel to delight Indian fans

    MUMBAI: No more frantic googling or last-minute scrambles for the remote—FanCode is here to kick off your football dreams.

    Whether it’s the roar of the crowd, the magic of iconic FIFA goals, or behind-the-scenes stories of champions, India’s premier sports streaming platform is putting the world’s most beautiful game at your fingertips. With the launch of the FIFA+ Zone and a new FAST channel, FanCode promises to transform living rooms into stadiums, bringing fans exclusive interviews, jaw-dropping documentaries, and timeless match moments from FIFA tournaments, including the electrifying FIFA World Cups.

    It’s game time, and the only decision left for fans is which beer to crack open as their favorite team smashes victory home.

    With the football fanbase in India surpassing 305 million, this launch aims to bridge the gap between growing fandom and premium football content. FanCode’s 24/7 FIFA+ Zone will immerse fans in engaging non-live football programming, making it accessible for free on the FanCode app (iOS and Android).

    The FIFA+ Zone will showcase content tailored for Indian fans, including:

    . FIFA+ Originals: Exclusive documentaries, behind-the-scenes stories, and interviews featuring the biggest names in global football.

    . Archival Matches: Classic encounters from FIFA World Cups, significant tournaments, and top women’s matches.

    . New Content: Fresh programming will continue to roll out through 2025 and beyond.

    FanCode co-founder, Prasana Krishnan expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, “This collaboration with FIFA+ will give Indian fans access to best-in-class non-live football programming. The passion for the game has grown substantially in the last few years with more than 305 million football fans in the country, but the content served to them hasn’t kept pace with the fandom. With some of the top leagues and players already on FanCode, this addition will further strengthen our football offerings.”

    FIFA+ Zone will complement FanCode’s robust football lineup, which already features Real Madrid TV – the 24/7 channel of European champions Real Madrid – alongside key events such as the Carabao Cup, Copa del Rey, AFCON, and FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

    This partnership underscores FanCode’s commitment to delivering a world-class football experience, blending historic matches, exclusive storytelling, and contemporary content for fans across the country.

  • For FIFA coverage, ESPN’s perfect assist to Sony

    For FIFA coverage, ESPN’s perfect assist to Sony

    MUMBAI: The 2018 FIFA World Cup has been quite a show already. For fans, the tournament’s been nothing short of a thrill-a-minute ride with sheer drama and constant surprises on offer. The steady state of suspense during key matches has enabled Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) India, the event’s official broadcaster in India, rake up its viewership numbers. What’s also helped is SPN’s partnership with ESPN India that has brought fans as close to the action as possible.

    Apart from telecasting the Malayalam regional feed of the showpiece event, ESPN is also leveraging its digital platforms to increase the viewers’ engagement through wrap around shows for the tournament. 

    Despite it being a non-rights player, ESPN has more than 150 people covering the event in Russia. 

    ESPN India’s head of television initiatives Jasdeep Pannu says, “With the studio facility in Moscow, all of that is coming back to help our partners in various parts of the world including Sony in their coverage.” 

    ESPN has rolled out a holistic set of content programming which includes a unique country-wide sports-travel show ‘The Last Train to Russia’ on Sony TEN (HD/SD), a daily match day analysis show called ‘Free Kick’ which is presented by ESPN anchors.

    ESPN’s Moscow is providing content for 17 hours a day via four feeds that can transmit simultaneously. The feeds are also helping fuel ESPN’s partners’ coverage across the globe, including Africa (Kwese), China (Tencent), India (Sony) and the Philippines (TV 5).

    ESPN has also launched the ESPN FC Match Predictor – the first truly global game, created in three languages (English, Spanish and Portuguese) across 13 global editions of ESPN.com – it gives fans a chance to pick the winners for each World Cup round.

    On the deal with Sony, Pannu said, “It’s a fantastic collaboration with a lot of synergy between the two brands. Sony has been very intelligent with their rights management and acquisition. They have got the biggest ongoing show in the world.”

    The challenge ESPN faces pertains to delivering the relevant content to keep the fans engaged as the mass audience gravitates towards all the sports right owners.

    However, Pannu believes that event rights are not the only way forward.

    “The rights guys are too busy focusing on the rights to look at non-rights content like we do,” he says.

    ESPN has also seen strong growth on the digital front across the sub-continent. 

    In terms of unique visitors between January to September 2017, ESPN’s digital platform witnessed a 24 per cent growth y-o-y. In India, 78 per cent of the traffic to ESPN digital (sites+app) comes from mobile devices which has growth at 150 per cent y-o-y.

    ESPN’s digital platform is also planning to target a larger group going forward by increasing its reach to the Hindi speaking audience, along with some regional languages like Tamil and Bengali.

  • SPN launches first campaign for FIFA WC 2018 Russia

    SPN launches first campaign for FIFA WC 2018 Russia

    MUMBAI: Despite losing several big ticket sporting properties to rivals in India, Sony Pictures Network (SPN) is gung-ho as it gears up to showcase the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. With just about a month left for the action, it has unveiled a new campaign titled ‘Meri Doosri Country’. The campaign was launched in the presence of India’s football icon and former national football team captain Bhaichung Bhutia.

    Culture Machine is the brain behind it with a creative team of five members. The production house involved in the making was Radhika Produces Films. The campaign is directed by Jigar Fernandes and produced by Radhika Sawhney.

    Telecast will be in four languages: English, Hindi, Bengali and Malayalam. The world feed in English will be on Sony TEN 2 SD & HD channels, the Hindi feed will be aired on Sony TEN 3 SD & HD channels while Bengali and Malayalam feed will be available on Sony ESPN SD channel. Adding to this, a fantastic line-up of renowned international football panellists will hone in on their knowledge and insights to enhance the viewing experience.

    SPN India president, sports and distribution Rajesh Kaul said, “Sony Pictures Network has been associated with FIFA, one of the most prestigious sporting bodies in the world, since the last world cup in 2014. The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia is definitely one the biggest and most exciting sporting events this year, and we are extremely proud to bring it to the football fans across the Indian subcontinent. Our campaign #MeriDoosriCountry, captures the ethos of how Indian football fans root for their favourite country as if it’s their own. With multiple language feeds and unique programming initiatives, we are committed to giving our audience a truly holistic 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia experience.”

    As seen from the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017, football continues to grow by leaps and bounds in India and is the second most viewed sport in the country after cricket. While football viewership is already high in India, FIFA-led events tend to enjoy an increased viewership due to their enormous popularity. The FIFA World Cup is one of the few sporting events that draws in both fans and fringe-viewers to root for their favourite countries, which temporarily become their ‘Doosri Country’ (second country).

    SPN senior VP marketing and OAP Kedar Teny told Indiantelevision.com, “If you look at the data, four markets that obviously consume football are English speaking markets from the North East, South and Goa. Hindi is only to bring in new viewership from Hindi speaking markets (HSM). The sports genre isn’t strong in the HSM, but the campaign is nudging you to be a part of the party.”

    “We have been holding the rights for all the premium football tournaments and known as the home of football. The campaign will be on all 31 channels of SPN. The feel and look of the stadium will be done in VR to enhance the viewers’ experience,” Kaul added.

    The #MeriDoosriCountry campaign film has been inspired by countless Indian fans who exhibit their undying passion by adopting their favourite football team once every four years during the World Cup. The film showcases snapshots of fans cheering and flaunting their support for their ‘Doosri Country’ by wearing the team jerseys, waving their team flags and even painting their faces with their team colours.

    The master brand campaign highlights the passion and excitement with which Indian fans support their favourite teams at this mega-event. The brand campaign also explains what really happens to the football fans in India when the World Cup kicks in and how we pledge loyalty of another country. The film was shot across the country, especially in football-crazy states like Goa, Kerala and West Bengal.

    The campaign will entail a 360-degree approach, including augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies. It will also be spread across TV, digital, print, and radio.

    Indian Football team former captain Bhaichung Bhutia said, “The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia is one the most awaited tournaments for all of us and I am excited to show my support for the #MeriDoosriCountry campaign. The film gives Indian audience a sense of belonging to one of the most significant sporting events in the world. While I am confident that we will see our football team in the World Cup one day, Meri Doosri country will be Argentina this year.”

    Also Read :

    Sony to be ahead of the curve in regional penetration: Kedar Teny

    SonyLIV aims to provide comprehensive CWG coverage

  • SPN India acquires ZEEL’s Ten Sports for USD 385 mn

    SPN India acquires ZEEL’s Ten Sports for USD 385 mn

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) today announced that SPN and its affiliates have entered into definitive agreements to acquire TEN Sports Network, owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zee) and its subsidiaries, for $ 385 million.

    However, completion of the acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals.

    The acquisition will add to SPN’s existing portfolio of channels TEN 1, TEN 1 HD, TEN 2, TEN 3, TEN Golf HD, TEN Cricket, a Zee-Sony co-branded official statement stated.

    TEN Sports which operates in several countries, including the Indian sub-continent, Maldives, Singapore, Hong Kong, Middle East, Caribbean, holds broadcast rights to major cricket boards (South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe).

    In addition, Ten Sports holds rights to wrestling (WWE), football (UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europe League, French League, English Football League Cup), tennis (WTA Events, ATP events), golf (European Tour, Asian Tour, Ryder Cup, US PGA Championship, LPGA Tour, Professional Golf Tour of India and Golf Channel Block), athletics (Asian Games, Commonwealth Games), motor sports (Moto GP) and cycling (Tour de France) events.

    “I welcome TEN Sports to the Sony family. The acquisition of TEN Sports Network will strengthen SPNI’s offering for viewers of cricket, football and fight sports, complementing our existing portfolio of international and domestic sporting properties. It also aptly demonstrates SPN’s commitment to providing a broad range of sporting entertainment to fans across India and the sub-continent,” the official statement quoted SPNI CEO NP Singh as saying.

    SPN’s sports properties include cricket (IPL, CPL, Ram Slam), football (FIFA 2018 World Cup Russia, UEFA Euro 2016, FIFA World Events including FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 in India, European and South American Qualifiers for FIFA WC 2018, FIFA Confederations Cup, LaLiga, Serie A, FA Cup, Copa America Centenario, International Champions Cup), tennis (Australian Open, ATP 1000 and 500 World Tour Events, Champions Tennis League), fight sports (TNA, UFC, Pro Wrestling League), basketball (NBA) as well as NFL and Premier Futsal.

    Commenting on the deal, speculated in the media and financial circles for quite some time now, Zee MD Punit Goenka said: “This is a landmark deal for Zee and a step towards a strategic portfolio shuffle as we grow our general entertainment business both in the domestic and overseas markets.”

    Further dwelling on a restructuring and re-jigging of portfolios currently on in Zee, Goenka added: “While we have grown our sports business over the last 10 years through acquisition of content at competitive prices, our focus now is on transforming ourselves into an all-round media and content company, comprising five verticals — broadcast, digital, films, live events, and international business. We continue to move rapidly towards our set business goals. While I have always been proud of our sports business, I strongly believe that Sony will add more value to it by taking it to even greater heights.”
    Sony Pictures Television President, Worldwide Networks, Andy Kaplan said in a statement: “India has been a strong driver of Sony Pictures’ growing networks business for two decades, and sports continue to play a significant role in that growth. The acquisition of TEN Sports, following the launch of SONY ESPN channels, will mean that our Indian networks would reach over 800 million viewers and broadcast many of the most popular and prestigious sporting events in the world.”

    ALSO READ:

    Ten Sports proposed sale: Biz acumen trumps emotions

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/sports/ten-sports-proposed-sale-biz-acumen-trumps-emotions-160831

  • SPN India acquires ZEEL’s Ten Sports for USD 385 mn

    SPN India acquires ZEEL’s Ten Sports for USD 385 mn

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) today announced that SPN and its affiliates have entered into definitive agreements to acquire TEN Sports Network, owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zee) and its subsidiaries, for $ 385 million.

    However, completion of the acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals.

    The acquisition will add to SPN’s existing portfolio of channels TEN 1, TEN 1 HD, TEN 2, TEN 3, TEN Golf HD, TEN Cricket, a Zee-Sony co-branded official statement stated.

    TEN Sports which operates in several countries, including the Indian sub-continent, Maldives, Singapore, Hong Kong, Middle East, Caribbean, holds broadcast rights to major cricket boards (South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe).

    In addition, Ten Sports holds rights to wrestling (WWE), football (UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europe League, French League, English Football League Cup), tennis (WTA Events, ATP events), golf (European Tour, Asian Tour, Ryder Cup, US PGA Championship, LPGA Tour, Professional Golf Tour of India and Golf Channel Block), athletics (Asian Games, Commonwealth Games), motor sports (Moto GP) and cycling (Tour de France) events.

    “I welcome TEN Sports to the Sony family. The acquisition of TEN Sports Network will strengthen SPNI’s offering for viewers of cricket, football and fight sports, complementing our existing portfolio of international and domestic sporting properties. It also aptly demonstrates SPN’s commitment to providing a broad range of sporting entertainment to fans across India and the sub-continent,” the official statement quoted SPNI CEO NP Singh as saying.

    SPN’s sports properties include cricket (IPL, CPL, Ram Slam), football (FIFA 2018 World Cup Russia, UEFA Euro 2016, FIFA World Events including FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 in India, European and South American Qualifiers for FIFA WC 2018, FIFA Confederations Cup, LaLiga, Serie A, FA Cup, Copa America Centenario, International Champions Cup), tennis (Australian Open, ATP 1000 and 500 World Tour Events, Champions Tennis League), fight sports (TNA, UFC, Pro Wrestling League), basketball (NBA) as well as NFL and Premier Futsal.

    Commenting on the deal, speculated in the media and financial circles for quite some time now, Zee MD Punit Goenka said: “This is a landmark deal for Zee and a step towards a strategic portfolio shuffle as we grow our general entertainment business both in the domestic and overseas markets.”

    Further dwelling on a restructuring and re-jigging of portfolios currently on in Zee, Goenka added: “While we have grown our sports business over the last 10 years through acquisition of content at competitive prices, our focus now is on transforming ourselves into an all-round media and content company, comprising five verticals — broadcast, digital, films, live events, and international business. We continue to move rapidly towards our set business goals. While I have always been proud of our sports business, I strongly believe that Sony will add more value to it by taking it to even greater heights.”
    Sony Pictures Television President, Worldwide Networks, Andy Kaplan said in a statement: “India has been a strong driver of Sony Pictures’ growing networks business for two decades, and sports continue to play a significant role in that growth. The acquisition of TEN Sports, following the launch of SONY ESPN channels, will mean that our Indian networks would reach over 800 million viewers and broadcast many of the most popular and prestigious sporting events in the world.”

    ALSO READ:

    Ten Sports proposed sale: Biz acumen trumps emotions

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/sports/ten-sports-proposed-sale-biz-acumen-trumps-emotions-160831

  • Times Now gets John Abraham on board for Fifa WC

    Times Now gets John Abraham on board for Fifa WC

    MUMBAI: As the world gears up for the Fifa world cup, Times Now, the English news channel from the Times Global Broadcasting stable, has unveiled its programming line-up panned over a month of football frenzy for its viewers.

    The channel has roped in Bollywood actor John Abraham, who will pick his favourites on a special half-hour segment The Goal, everyday from 11 -20 June. The show will also get all the action from the court straight from South Africa.

    Times Now anchors Ragini and Anand will also be joined by Scott O’ Donell , the former player of Australian team and the present coach of Cambodia, in the studios in Mumbai. Scott, with his expertise and experience, will analyse the game everyday for the viewers and also give a preview to the forthcoming game of the day.

    Times Now will also give regular updates in news bulletins at 11 pm and 11.30 pm.

  • Avaya designs the largest voice, data network for Fifa WC

    Avaya designs the largest voice, data network for Fifa WC

    MUMBAI: When the ball is kicked tonight at the opening match of the 2006 Fifa World Cup Germany, the largest voice and data network ever — designed and managed by Avaya goes into full operation.

    Over the next 31 days, 15 trillion bytes of information, equal to more than 100 million books will travel through the communications network built by Avaya, a global provider of communications networks and services for businesses.

    The converged network, which combines voice and data on the same infrastructure, will be used by teams, referees and journalists, plus Fifa and Organizing Committee officials for a myriad of tasks, including accreditation, reporting results, logistics and transportation.

    New technologies will change the way fans, journalists, volunteers, and athletes enjoy and interact with the games and one another, and 12 stadiums, 12 cities, 64 matches, hotels, airports, train stations, and more will be completely connected.

    Avaya chairman and CEO Don Peterson says, “Goal lines in sports and bottom lines in business are the same — it’s all about having a winning team. At the Fifa World Cup 2006, Avaya is the team that pulls together every player, match and a huge number of other activities with a world class communications network. Providing highly reliable and secure
    communications solutions is what we do for our customers around the world every day. Our team offers skills and powers as strong as Fifa World Cup players, so we can deliver a perfect communications ‘match’ to any customer here at the games.”

    With the Avaya network in place:

    * Real-time scores will allow fans and the media globally to instantly know who scored a goal and which team won a match. The World Cup has an accumulated audience of 30 billion fans worldwide, but only 3.1 million will be able to watch the games live.

    * Photojournalists can transmit digital photos wirelessly, instead of using film and dark rooms, on which journalists had to rely at the Fifa World Cup 2002.

    * In the past, an average of two to three phone numbers, including an office and mobile phone number, were listed for each person working during the World Cup and the directory needed to be updated and printed twice daily. Now a new web-based directory can update contact lists instantly.

    * Reliability is ensured, with 99.99 per cent availability. Avaya conducted more than 400 tests at its Fifa World Cup lab in Frankfurt. The tests, validated by Netconsult, included exhaustive testing of failover scenarios, backup power, firmware and software compatibility, and the resiliency of many IP applications to ensure the network won’t go down or slow down.

    * Sophisticated security is in place to prevent viruses and hackers, with software that enables Avaya technical experts to locate the source of the virus or intrusion.

  • McDonald’s gets a bite of Fifa WC with Player Escort Program

    McDonald’s gets a bite of Fifa WC with Player Escort Program

    MUMBAI: As a worldwide sponsor and Official Partner of the 2006 Fifa World Cup McDonald’s introduces the Player Escort Program, which allows 1,408 children aged 6 to 10 years to walk onto the field hand-in-hand with the world’s best football players, at the start of all 64 official World Cup matches.

    Selected from a total of 51 countries, this year’s Player Escort Program consists of 226 international children and 1,182 children from host country Germany, informs an official release.

    In addition, the McDonald’s Player Escorts will also get a chance to experience the thrill of the Fifa World Cup through friendly football matches as part of their own tournament held in select cities in Germany during the World Cup, adds the release.

    As a key marketing strategy, McDonald’s outlets around the world, are involving customers through special promotions, contests, advertisements, in-store activations and special menu items to bring the excitement of Fifa World Cup to local communities. For example, McDonald’s outlets in India have introduced a Foosball Freekick indoor table football game, where kids get the chance to take penalty shots against a goalkeeper and win prizes. In addition, special meals centred around the football theme cater to kids and adults alike.

    Using the Internet as a medium, McDonald’s customers around the world have a chance to participate in the Fifa World Cup experience through an exclusive global sponsorship of the McDonald’s/FIFA Fantasy Game on http://www.FIFAworldcup.com, available in nine languages. The game offers football fans the opportunity to manage a squad of football superstars and compete against celebrity fantasy teams.

    To top it all, McDonald’s is also giving away thousands of 2006 Fifa World Cup tickets through in-restaurant promotions, media tie-ins and special employee incentives in select McDonald’s markets, adds the release.

    McDonald’s corporate VP Global Marketing Jeff Carl said, “McDonald’s has the ability to touch more than 50 million people each day, so we are in the unique position to deliver the fun and excitement of one of the world’s most prestigious football events in truly engaging and surprising ways.”

    In keeping with the company’s “i’m lovin’ it” strategy of developing stronger connections with its customers around the world, Carl added, “Because we want our customers to feel closer to the World Cup, we have created a wide range of exclusive activities to bring the tournament to life.”

    McDonald’s has served as sponsor and Official Partner of the Fifa World Cup since 1994 in the United States, continuing through 1998 in France, 2002 in Korea and Japan and 2006 in Germany and in true football spirit, their active efforts once again keep the fever rising high!

  • Shemaroo celebrates Fifa WC with release of Beckham video

    Shemaroo celebrates Fifa WC with release of Beckham video

    MUMBAI: Home video maker Shemaroo has released a video Really Bend it like Beckham this football season.

    The video has the inside details and is the definitive video of his soccer skills. Fans can now have a never-before-seen view of his various skill sets, on technology that manages to capture and dissect his every move like never before. The video also features Beckham’s football highlights of matches like an England versus Argentina match.

    Shemaroo VP Hiren Gada said, “It is baffling that in a nation of a billion people, young talents aren’t making it to the international arena. Really Bend it like Beckham is an excellent video for two reasons. First, it will be a great learning opportunity for emerging players, almost like learning from the legend himself, and prove to be a great encouragement. Second, it is an excellent video that will be enjoyed by all Soccer fans.”

    The DVD has been sot on High Definition. It features multi camera angles, super slow motion and time slice footage. 

    It has been broken into easy to use sections – control, space making skills, passing and working for space, turning skills, forward play, crossing, closing down and defending, finishing and free kicks and much more.

    The DVD also has behind the scenes with David Beckham, Kids Q&A with Beckham and a Kids Football game with Beckham.

  • ESPN, Airtel tie-up for Fifa WC on mobile phones

    ESPN, Airtel tie-up for Fifa WC on mobile phones

    Live goal alerts. Live match updates. Live fixtures. Download mobisodes of previews and predictions. Contests and much more. The soccer World Cup anywhere and anytime. Football fans in India just got a bonus.

    Airtel, a leading mobile services provider, today announced the launch of a host of services for the FIFA World Cup 2006 that will be exclusively available to the company’s subscribers.

    The latest breaking team news, fixture listings, half-time and full-time scores and penalties will be available on SMS/ WAP alerts. Also, an Airtel customer may choose to receive SMS alerts on their favorite teams’ progress such as goals or score updates or match fixtures.

    A dedicated news section on the World Cup 2006 will be available from 31 May to 9 July 2006.

    The official statement quoted Hemant Sachdev, director, marketing and communications, Bharti Airtel Limited, as saying, “The Football World Cup connects billions of people across the world in a very special way. We are delighted that Airtel customers will now have the exclusive advantage of following their favorite team’s progress and accessing rich and exciting World Cup 2006 content on the mobile.”

    Commenting on the tie-up with Airtel, ESPN Software India MD RC Venkateish, “As the leading sports network, we are focused on servicing the fan – that means making our sports content available anytime and any place through any pipe and any device. Through Mobile ESPN, we have merged what avid fans expect on our TV channels and on espnstar.com and created a third screen in sports.”

    Airtel has also lined up exciting contests for its users during the World Cup. Call 646 and say “Scream”. Choose your favourite country and also your favorite ‘mood’– loud or funny. After that JUST SCREAM ‘GOOAAAL”. The winner will win an all expense holiday to their favorite football playing country.

    How to access World Cup 2006 services on Airtel? Airtel customers can subscribe to these services by SMS & WAP. SMS WCG to 646 for alerts or visit Airtel Live from a GPRS enabled phone or dial 646

    Services available on Airtel

    [a] “ESPN Here We Go” – starting 8 June.

    Made-for-mobile ‘mobisodes’ by ESPN Star Sports presenters. Each mobisode consists of 2-minute and 30-second previews clip on every World Cup 2006 match, which features match analysis and predictions by ESPN STAR Sports football analysts and pundits, as well as previous day highlights and team news

    [b] SportsCenter: This section comprises 2-minute and 30-second video clips featuring daily bulletins and coverage of top sports stories from around the world.

    SportsCenter Football Update: Dedicated news section on the world of football, with 2-minute and 30 second video clips featuring the latest match updates, summaries and results.

    Special news report on World Cup 2006

    [c] ESPN Football Live: Live alerts and news service providing the latest breaking team news, match updates and match fixtures. Match updates, goal updates, half time / full time scores, yellow / red cards information, penalties etc.

    Match fixtures: List of upcoming matches

    [d] ESPN Insider – starting 29 May.

    Dedicated match preview service with expert analysis and opinions from ESPN Star Sports presenters and professional tipster. Pre-match analysis and predictions provided by ESPN Star Sports celebrity presenters such as Andrew Leci, John Dykes, Andy Penders, Paul Masefield or Steve McMahon.

    [e] Mobile ESPN content on SMS – starting 9 June.

    Live goals: live scores, half time and full time scores.

    [f] Other sports content service offerings available for download- Starting 29 May.

    Java games, wallpapers of popular football players.

    Bharti Airtel Limited is one of India’s leading private sector providers of telecommunications services with an aggregate of over 22.07 million customers as of end of April 2006, consisting of more than 20.68 million mobile customers.