ITV

Tag: Sony Pictures Networks India

  • AXN targets 30 per cent market share with new shows; sees demand from south India

    AXN targets 30 per cent market share with new shows; sees demand from south India

    MUMBAI: Continuing to establish its Live RED strategy from two ends, ie, product to channel and consumers gratification to characteristics is this English Entertainment channel.

    Sony Pictures Networks’ (SPN) AXN a few months ago launched a new brand positioning with a new look and feel catering to the changing audience taste. With a more intelligent action offering, the channel witnessed better performance from the south of India than the overall market. With 40 per cent viewership share coming from Kerala followed by 36 per cent from Hyderabad, AXN India sees its traction coming from the upwardly mobile young people of 15-35 age group.

    To build upon its familiarity and characters, it has initiated a mixed content proposition consisting of new shows and returning shows with new seasons. It is all geared up to air four new shows starting this weekend in their “Fresh From the US” slot. Two brand new shows that have been added to its library are – Bull and MacGyver whereas the other two are new seasons of cult shows – Supernatural and Elementary.

    From taking various steps for its consumer behaviour association to what it stands for, the channel’s efforts at show and characterisation has worked well. It recently rolled out its HD feed, and has numerous advertisers on board from the automobile and ecommerce categories like Pepperfry, Amazon and eBay.

    “Whenever we launch a new show under this slot, we make sure that the character, show premise and the grade of the show helps building our strategy. We want to cater to both influencers for whom it is about bringing new shows hot from the US and to the adapters community who are easing into the English entertainment space. They not only watch new shows but also see certain old shows right from the beginning. So when we bring fresh shows from the US, they are available throughout the year,” said SPN India executive VP and business head English Entertainment cluster Saurabh Yagnik.

    The channel, which currently has a market share of 18-20 per cent,will continue to back its investments to fulfill its vision to get 30 per cent market share by the end of 2017.

    It might also look at producing local content for the viewers though that will not be the core of their strategy. “International shows will be the core for AXN. The viewers come to us for that,” voiced Yagnik. ” If we get into local programming, what we need to be mindful of is the kind of properties we put in the channel today are on top of the line through the production quality. Whatever we do here, we have to deliver to their values and standards. It could be something going forward.”

    The story of the young and quirky Angus MacGyver, with unconventional problem solving abilities & vast scientific knowledge will be highlighted in MacGyver every Saturday at 11 pm.

    Whereas it’s other new show, Bull will air on Sundays at 11 pm. Brilliant, brash and charming Dr. Jason Bull is not just another psychologist but the ultimate puppet master. He Combines psychology, human intuition and high tech data to win in high-stake trials. The show revolves around the ubersuccessful psychologist and his impeccable style.

    AXN is also raising its entertainment quotient on weekends with brand new seasons of iconic shows at 10 pm. The season 12 of Supernatural will be aired on Saturdays whereas detective Sherlock Holmes and Joan Watson in Elementary season 5, will be seen solving mysterious cases every Sunday.

    “At AXN, our aim is to offer a wide range of shows across genres that provide mind rush, edge-of-the-seat entertainment and desirable characters. FFUS is one such property that gives all three. It also helps in building the English GEC category – Getting to watch new shows in good quality on their TV sets certainly discourages viewers from downloading content. It’s a win-win situation,” concluded Yagnik.

  • Quo Vadis ZEEL-RBNL

    Quo Vadis ZEEL-RBNL

    MUMBAI: It was hardly a month or so ago that ZEEL MD Punit Goenka had issued a denial, saying that it was not interested in acquiring the radio and TV business of the Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Broadcast Networks Ltd (RBNL) because radio regulations do not permit FDI equity beyond 49 per cent.

    But, the media was awash once again with the news that it had restarted negotiations with RBNL just two days ago. When Indiantelevision.com got in touch with the ZEEL corporate spokesperson whether this was true, this is the response, we got: “From time to time, we keep exploring strategic opportunities for entering new businesses or in our existing businesses. However, as a matter of policy, we do not comment on media speculations,” the response said.

    To us, this sounds ominously familiar. This is the exact response ZEEL and Essel had issued when news reports appeared about the sale of its TEN Sports business to Sony Pictures Networks India. When speculation about Siticable buying DEN Networks gathered steam, a similar line was thrown.

    Ditto was the response with Dish TV’s ongoing discussions to acquire Videocon d2h from the debt-laden-and struggling Videocon group. Dish TV is a part of the Essel group as well.

    And, we all know what happened with Ten Networks. After denying it for a few months, SPNI bought it over for a cool Rs 2,600 crore.

    The DEN Networks talks turned out to be just talks. Now, the Sameer Manchanda-promoted cable company has got an infusion of cash and the rumour mills state that it will be acquired by Star India at some stage.

    As far as Dish TV is concerned, the company recently moved its registered corporate office from Noida to a Mumbai address of Marathon Futurex, which also houses other Essel group ventures. Observers believe this move could help facilitate its Videocon d2h acquisition. The two groups will have to approach only one court – the Bombay High Court — for approvals. Whether this is true or not, only time will tell.

    Overall, the media industry is ripe for consolidation. And, the hungry to grow, Zee (Essel) group is scouting around for opportunities, chatting with almost everyone who could be a potential good addition to its portfolio. Analysts feel the prospective RBNL deal will be a win-win for Ambani as well as for the Essel group, of which ZEEL is a part.

    The Essel group is present in television, films, print, music, events and live, and digital. What’s missing is radio. The acquisition, when and if that does happen, will herald the group’s entry into that segment as well. It recently announced its diversification into that segment in the UAE by leasing the frequency, which was operated by the radio channel Hum. The lease becomes active cum January 2017.

    RBNL will also add a Bhojpuri regional channel BIG Ganga and a comedy-centric national channel Big Magic to the Zee TV bouquet. Both these genres are strikingly absent in the ZEEL bouquet. In July 2015, ZEEL gobbled up Odia channel Sarthak TV for Rs 115 crore.

    Anil Ambani has been attempting to find buyers for his media and entertainment assets for some time now. Lured by the sector, he rushed into it in the previous decade setting up a DTH venture, poured investments in DreamWorks, in his Bollywood studio, in a VFX studio and in shooting floors, a TV production company, and in radio and TV broadcasting.

    The oodles of cash he kept on pumping into the sector have not got the return he expected. One bright spark has been his radio and TV venture, especially the FM station and the regional channels. Recently, the group announced that it was carving out its DTH venture Reliance Digital TV into a separate company from Reliance Communications.

    Observers say that the Zee group and RBNL are examining ways of slicing and dicing the RBNL business to facilitate a buyout. Among the options being considered is ingesting FM radio into Zee Media, and incorporating the Big Magic channels into ZEEL. According to BSE filings, Zee Media does not have any significant foreign holding. Hence, the foreign investment cap will not come in its way of digesting Big FM. And ZEEL’s acquisition of the Big channels is but a shoo-in.

    Of course, pricing has to be agreed between the two parties. Figures of Rs 2,000 crore-Rs 2,500 crore that are being bandied about seem far too inflated considering the scale of RBNL’s radio and TV business. The acquisition tag could more likely be at half of that. Or, if one stretches ones pockets, at a discount of Rs 500 crore to that.

    We, as media observers, can only wait and watch to see which way the pendulum swings.

  • Quo Vadis ZEEL-RBNL

    Quo Vadis ZEEL-RBNL

    MUMBAI: It was hardly a month or so ago that ZEEL MD Punit Goenka had issued a denial, saying that it was not interested in acquiring the radio and TV business of the Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Broadcast Networks Ltd (RBNL) because radio regulations do not permit FDI equity beyond 49 per cent.

    But, the media was awash once again with the news that it had restarted negotiations with RBNL just two days ago. When Indiantelevision.com got in touch with the ZEEL corporate spokesperson whether this was true, this is the response, we got: “From time to time, we keep exploring strategic opportunities for entering new businesses or in our existing businesses. However, as a matter of policy, we do not comment on media speculations,” the response said.

    To us, this sounds ominously familiar. This is the exact response ZEEL and Essel had issued when news reports appeared about the sale of its TEN Sports business to Sony Pictures Networks India. When speculation about Siticable buying DEN Networks gathered steam, a similar line was thrown.

    Ditto was the response with Dish TV’s ongoing discussions to acquire Videocon d2h from the debt-laden-and struggling Videocon group. Dish TV is a part of the Essel group as well.

    And, we all know what happened with Ten Networks. After denying it for a few months, SPNI bought it over for a cool Rs 2,600 crore.

    The DEN Networks talks turned out to be just talks. Now, the Sameer Manchanda-promoted cable company has got an infusion of cash and the rumour mills state that it will be acquired by Star India at some stage.

    As far as Dish TV is concerned, the company recently moved its registered corporate office from Noida to a Mumbai address of Marathon Futurex, which also houses other Essel group ventures. Observers believe this move could help facilitate its Videocon d2h acquisition. The two groups will have to approach only one court – the Bombay High Court — for approvals. Whether this is true or not, only time will tell.

    Overall, the media industry is ripe for consolidation. And, the hungry to grow, Zee (Essel) group is scouting around for opportunities, chatting with almost everyone who could be a potential good addition to its portfolio. Analysts feel the prospective RBNL deal will be a win-win for Ambani as well as for the Essel group, of which ZEEL is a part.

    The Essel group is present in television, films, print, music, events and live, and digital. What’s missing is radio. The acquisition, when and if that does happen, will herald the group’s entry into that segment as well. It recently announced its diversification into that segment in the UAE by leasing the frequency, which was operated by the radio channel Hum. The lease becomes active cum January 2017.

    RBNL will also add a Bhojpuri regional channel BIG Ganga and a comedy-centric national channel Big Magic to the Zee TV bouquet. Both these genres are strikingly absent in the ZEEL bouquet. In July 2015, ZEEL gobbled up Odia channel Sarthak TV for Rs 115 crore.

    Anil Ambani has been attempting to find buyers for his media and entertainment assets for some time now. Lured by the sector, he rushed into it in the previous decade setting up a DTH venture, poured investments in DreamWorks, in his Bollywood studio, in a VFX studio and in shooting floors, a TV production company, and in radio and TV broadcasting.

    The oodles of cash he kept on pumping into the sector have not got the return he expected. One bright spark has been his radio and TV venture, especially the FM station and the regional channels. Recently, the group announced that it was carving out its DTH venture Reliance Digital TV into a separate company from Reliance Communications.

    Observers say that the Zee group and RBNL are examining ways of slicing and dicing the RBNL business to facilitate a buyout. Among the options being considered is ingesting FM radio into Zee Media, and incorporating the Big Magic channels into ZEEL. According to BSE filings, Zee Media does not have any significant foreign holding. Hence, the foreign investment cap will not come in its way of digesting Big FM. And ZEEL’s acquisition of the Big channels is but a shoo-in.

    Of course, pricing has to be agreed between the two parties. Figures of Rs 2,000 crore-Rs 2,500 crore that are being bandied about seem far too inflated considering the scale of RBNL’s radio and TV business. The acquisition tag could more likely be at half of that. Or, if one stretches ones pockets, at a discount of Rs 500 crore to that.

    We, as media observers, can only wait and watch to see which way the pendulum swings.

  • SPN India telecasting Rio para-athletes strive for excellence

    SPN India telecasting Rio para-athletes strive for excellence

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has further cemented its commitment towards the cause of games with the acquisition of the broadcast and digital broadcast rights of Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

    As a continuation of its endeavour to support India’s sports talent, SPN will showcase regular updates and highlights of the Indian contingent’s performance at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games on Sony SIX and Sony ESPN channels as well on its digital platform SonyLIV. The telecast has begun and will continue till 19 September, 2016.

    SPN will telecast the highlights of the day sessions and night sessions in two separate 60-minute capsules.

    Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, a major international multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities, governed by the International Paralympic Committee is taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Adding on to the massive level of interest, India is represented by its largest-ever contingent of 19 Indian athletes that will compete across 10 disciplines. Viewers will get a chance watch and support the Indian para-athletes strive for sporting excellence.

    SPN Sports and distribution president Rajesh Kaul said, “The sports cluster of SPN has continued to show its support to the cause of differently-abled sports in India”.

    “India is proudly rooting for the 19 para-athletes who are in Rio right now and there is an increasing public interest to watch how they perform at this International event. We will telecast the highlights of both sessions so that viewers can watch a round-up of the Paralympian’s performance.”

    “Ek India Happywala” is the theme under the aegis of which SPN runs its CSR programme. It focusses on creating a positive impact in our ecosystem and is built on three pillars: empowerment, education and environment.

  • SPN India telecasting Rio para-athletes strive for excellence

    SPN India telecasting Rio para-athletes strive for excellence

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has further cemented its commitment towards the cause of games with the acquisition of the broadcast and digital broadcast rights of Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

    As a continuation of its endeavour to support India’s sports talent, SPN will showcase regular updates and highlights of the Indian contingent’s performance at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games on Sony SIX and Sony ESPN channels as well on its digital platform SonyLIV. The telecast has begun and will continue till 19 September, 2016.

    SPN will telecast the highlights of the day sessions and night sessions in two separate 60-minute capsules.

    Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, a major international multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities, governed by the International Paralympic Committee is taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Adding on to the massive level of interest, India is represented by its largest-ever contingent of 19 Indian athletes that will compete across 10 disciplines. Viewers will get a chance watch and support the Indian para-athletes strive for sporting excellence.

    SPN Sports and distribution president Rajesh Kaul said, “The sports cluster of SPN has continued to show its support to the cause of differently-abled sports in India”.

    “India is proudly rooting for the 19 para-athletes who are in Rio right now and there is an increasing public interest to watch how they perform at this International event. We will telecast the highlights of both sessions so that viewers can watch a round-up of the Paralympian’s performance.”

    “Ek India Happywala” is the theme under the aegis of which SPN runs its CSR programme. It focusses on creating a positive impact in our ecosystem and is built on three pillars: empowerment, education and environment.

  • SPN India to broadcast National Football League

    SPN India to broadcast National Football League

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) is bringing to its viewers sports leagues from North America — the National Football League (NFL).

    Action begins with the first game of NFL Kick off 2016 Weekend featuring the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos hosting the Carolina Panthers in a rematch of Super Bowl 50 on Sony Six, Sony Six HD and Sony ESPN, Sony ESPN HD on 9 September, 2016, at 6 am. Three NFL games a week will be telecast live on Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD during the 2016 NFL season.

    NFL games will be telecast three times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays at 6am IST giving viewers more options in the breakfast viewing category. Apart from this, select games during the season will also be telecast at prime- time.

    The NFL is one of the four major professional sports leagues in North America, and the highest professional level of American football in the world. It consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC).

    Each regular season runs for a period of 17 weeks with each team playing 16 games and having one bye week. At the end of the regular season, six teams from each conference (four division winners and two wild card teams) advance to the playoffs that concludes with the Super Bowl, played between the champions of the NFC and AFC.

    SPN distribution and sports president Rajesh Kaul said, “The sports cluster of SPN possess the broadcast rights of two of the ‘Big 4’ professional sports leagues in America with the NFL and NBA, consequently showcasing the best of American sports leagues to our viewers. We have seen a growing interest amongst urban Indian viewers for American sports it seems set to grow further with the NFL games”.

    He further added, “Breakfast Viewing is a transformational concept initiated and fostered by SPN that has changed the way live sports is consumed by viewers today. At present, we are the only network catering to die-hard sports fans in this segment and are giving our viewers more options in sports consumption owing to the demand for live international content in this time band. There is a significant viewership in the breakfast viewing category for our other content and we are expecting to see a definite growth in viewership for the NFL too.”

  • SPN India to broadcast National Football League

    SPN India to broadcast National Football League

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) is bringing to its viewers sports leagues from North America — the National Football League (NFL).

    Action begins with the first game of NFL Kick off 2016 Weekend featuring the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos hosting the Carolina Panthers in a rematch of Super Bowl 50 on Sony Six, Sony Six HD and Sony ESPN, Sony ESPN HD on 9 September, 2016, at 6 am. Three NFL games a week will be telecast live on Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD during the 2016 NFL season.

    NFL games will be telecast three times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays at 6am IST giving viewers more options in the breakfast viewing category. Apart from this, select games during the season will also be telecast at prime- time.

    The NFL is one of the four major professional sports leagues in North America, and the highest professional level of American football in the world. It consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC).

    Each regular season runs for a period of 17 weeks with each team playing 16 games and having one bye week. At the end of the regular season, six teams from each conference (four division winners and two wild card teams) advance to the playoffs that concludes with the Super Bowl, played between the champions of the NFC and AFC.

    SPN distribution and sports president Rajesh Kaul said, “The sports cluster of SPN possess the broadcast rights of two of the ‘Big 4’ professional sports leagues in America with the NFL and NBA, consequently showcasing the best of American sports leagues to our viewers. We have seen a growing interest amongst urban Indian viewers for American sports it seems set to grow further with the NFL games”.

    He further added, “Breakfast Viewing is a transformational concept initiated and fostered by SPN that has changed the way live sports is consumed by viewers today. At present, we are the only network catering to die-hard sports fans in this segment and are giving our viewers more options in sports consumption owing to the demand for live international content in this time band. There is a significant viewership in the breakfast viewing category for our other content and we are expecting to see a definite growth in viewership for the NFL too.”

  • When advertisers turn singers for Sony Mix’s ‘Dhun Project’

    When advertisers turn singers for Sony Mix’s ‘Dhun Project’

    MUMBAI: The folks at Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) are in a celebratory mood not just for one but two reasons. In an all cash deal worth $385 million, the network has recently inked a pact to acquire the Ten Sports channel portfolio which was with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL). Second, it is the fifth anniversary of its music channel Sony Mix.

    To commemorate its birthday, the network has initiated The Dhun Project. Through this, the channel intends to pay tribute to Indian musicians and aims to give back to India’s rich musical heritage by raising funds to empower those musically oriented and donate to educational initiatives across levels.

    “This is our way of giving back to music, by empowering its creators, curators and everyone associated with the art in India,” says SPN senior EVP and business head Max cluster, Sony Mix Neeraj VyasI. “It is a tribute to the musicians of Bollywood. Several things go into the making of a song which do not get recognised. The name ‘Dhun’ because it is a key word for music and also goes with the channel’s name. We had launched in 2011 because we clearly saw a need gap wherein music channels were providing everything else but music. We came with an aim to play more music, with a clear mood map to match music with various moods and 12 minutes of advertising. There was very little variety. The last five years have been exceptional for us. ”

    “Music is an integral part with or without Bollywood. We always wanted to grow music in this country. According to me, this is a good way to contribute and I hope to make some difference through this initiative. With The Dhun Project we want to encourage talented musicians, to help them further contribute to music in India and inspire society with the melodies they create that harmoniously unite us. The advertisers featuring in the video have identified the cause, they connect to music and will take the communication ahead from there,” adds SPN CEO N.P.Singh.

    The new initiative will be promoted on the various channels under the network and by featuring the CXO’s of media and entertainment industry, the initiative hoped to get a push through each one’s Twitter and Facebook page. Championing the cause, it has brought together stalwarts from the advertising and media industries to record an exclusive music video for the anthem. Senior executives like GroupM’s CVL Srinivas , Madiso’s n Vikram Sakhuja, Lodestar’s Shashi Sinha, Future Group’s Sandip Tarkas, Mindshare’s Amin Lakhani, Zenith Optimedia’s Anupriya Acharya, Idea Cellular’s Shuchi Singhal, OMD ‘s Harish Shriyan, Mudra’s Sonal Dabral, SPN’s Rohit Gupta and SPN’s Neeraj Vyas feature in Dhun Project music video. The project will also be played live during Goafest in front of the entire media and entertainment industry.

    The first leg of project involves the channel’s contribution of Rupees 10 Lakhs towards helping a musician who needs medical support every year. The ambassador for this year is Roshan Ali (a dholak player). Ali has recorded with artists like R.D.Burman, Laxmikant Pyarelal, etc. The project is seeking help from the Indian Cine Musician Association head who suggests them a name which the channel will filter further and pin down on a person.

    It is also leveraging the crowdsourcing platform Ketto.Org, co-founded by actor Kunal Kapoor to raise funds for Spic Macay to organize a series of events across the country that will enable heritage musicians to perform in schools and colleges. Young students will be exposed to music performed by nationally celebrated musicians, who in turn will continue to earn a living from this artistic endeavour.

    To catch a glimpse of the music video, visit:

  • When advertisers turn singers for Sony Mix’s ‘Dhun Project’

    When advertisers turn singers for Sony Mix’s ‘Dhun Project’

    MUMBAI: The folks at Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) are in a celebratory mood not just for one but two reasons. In an all cash deal worth $385 million, the network has recently inked a pact to acquire the Ten Sports channel portfolio which was with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL). Second, it is the fifth anniversary of its music channel Sony Mix.

    To commemorate its birthday, the network has initiated The Dhun Project. Through this, the channel intends to pay tribute to Indian musicians and aims to give back to India’s rich musical heritage by raising funds to empower those musically oriented and donate to educational initiatives across levels.

    “This is our way of giving back to music, by empowering its creators, curators and everyone associated with the art in India,” says SPN senior EVP and business head Max cluster, Sony Mix Neeraj VyasI. “It is a tribute to the musicians of Bollywood. Several things go into the making of a song which do not get recognised. The name ‘Dhun’ because it is a key word for music and also goes with the channel’s name. We had launched in 2011 because we clearly saw a need gap wherein music channels were providing everything else but music. We came with an aim to play more music, with a clear mood map to match music with various moods and 12 minutes of advertising. There was very little variety. The last five years have been exceptional for us. ”

    “Music is an integral part with or without Bollywood. We always wanted to grow music in this country. According to me, this is a good way to contribute and I hope to make some difference through this initiative. With The Dhun Project we want to encourage talented musicians, to help them further contribute to music in India and inspire society with the melodies they create that harmoniously unite us. The advertisers featuring in the video have identified the cause, they connect to music and will take the communication ahead from there,” adds SPN CEO N.P.Singh.

    The new initiative will be promoted on the various channels under the network and by featuring the CXO’s of media and entertainment industry, the initiative hoped to get a push through each one’s Twitter and Facebook page. Championing the cause, it has brought together stalwarts from the advertising and media industries to record an exclusive music video for the anthem. Senior executives like GroupM’s CVL Srinivas , Madiso’s n Vikram Sakhuja, Lodestar’s Shashi Sinha, Future Group’s Sandip Tarkas, Mindshare’s Amin Lakhani, Zenith Optimedia’s Anupriya Acharya, Idea Cellular’s Shuchi Singhal, OMD ‘s Harish Shriyan, Mudra’s Sonal Dabral, SPN’s Rohit Gupta and SPN’s Neeraj Vyas feature in Dhun Project music video. The project will also be played live during Goafest in front of the entire media and entertainment industry.

    The first leg of project involves the channel’s contribution of Rupees 10 Lakhs towards helping a musician who needs medical support every year. The ambassador for this year is Roshan Ali (a dholak player). Ali has recorded with artists like R.D.Burman, Laxmikant Pyarelal, etc. The project is seeking help from the Indian Cine Musician Association head who suggests them a name which the channel will filter further and pin down on a person.

    It is also leveraging the crowdsourcing platform Ketto.Org, co-founded by actor Kunal Kapoor to raise funds for Spic Macay to organize a series of events across the country that will enable heritage musicians to perform in schools and colleges. Young students will be exposed to music performed by nationally celebrated musicians, who in turn will continue to earn a living from this artistic endeavour.

    To catch a glimpse of the music video, visit:

  • Sony Pictures to acquire Ten Sports from Zee

    Sony Pictures to acquire Ten Sports from Zee

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) today announced that SPN and its affiliates have entered into definitive agreements to acquire TEN Sports Network from Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEE) and its subsidiaries for 385 million U.S. dollars. Completion of the acquisition is subject to regulatory approval. The acquisition will add South Asia’s leading sports network to SPN’s existing portfolio of channels.

    The TEN Sports channels being acquired include TEN 1, TEN 1 HD, TEN 2, TEN 3, TEN Golf HD, TEN Cricket, TEN Sports that operate in several countries including the Indian sub-continent, Maldives, Singapore, Hong Kong, Middle East, Caribbean.

    TEN Sports 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 Europa 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.

    Long a television destination for sports fans, SPN 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.

    Comment from NP Singh, CEO, Sony Pictures Networks India

    “I welcome TEN Sports to the Sony family. The acquisition of TEN Sports Network will strengthen SPN’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.”

    Comment from Andy Kaplan, President, Worldwide Networks, Sony Pictures Television

    “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.”

    Comment from Punit Goenka, Managing Director, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEE)

    “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. 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 of five verticals, viz. broadcast, digital, films, live events, and international business; and 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. I wish them all the success.”