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Tag: Sony SIX

  • Pepsi IPL Extraaa Innings T20 returns at Reliance MediaWorks’ state of the art Sound Stages at Filmcity

    Pepsi IPL Extraaa Innings T20 returns at Reliance MediaWorks’ state of the art Sound Stages at Filmcity

    MUMBAI: The biggest entertainment format of the year that brings in cricket like never before, PEPSI IPL has already taken a flying start in its seventh edition. And for the second year in a row, the broadcasters Multi Screen Media, who are airing PEPSI IPL 7 on their channels Sony MAX, Sony SIX have chosen the state of the art sound stages at Reliance MediaWorks in Filmcity for Extraaa Innings T20.

     

    The programming contents of the show involve several elements including live stadium action, and studio programming. The overall programming requirements are thereby stringent, especially considering the fact that the show is aired live everyday. Live feeds from the matches played across different locations and the feed from the in studio programming is entirely consolidated at this place so that the seamlessly integrated programme is available to delight the millions of PEPSI IPL viewers on a daily basis.

     

    The entire setup for the show has been done on one of the floors at the studio complex of Reliance MediaWorks. PEPSI IPL is a long format show and from preparation right up to the entire event, the studio facility will be utilized for almost three months for the show. Availability of the best in class infrastructure, on site technical support, high standards of quality & security; all within the reach at a convenient location like Filmcity is a key reason that has made these shooting spaces the preferred destination for several broadcasters and filmmakers alike.

     

    Known for their Hollywood benchmarked infrastructure, Reliance MediaWorks currently offers three sound stages for all production requirements for broadcast, film, TVCs & events. The new set of 5 stages, which also have the same technical specifications, will be operational in the latter half of 2014.

     

    Neeraj Vyas: EVP & Business Head – Sony MAX “With IPL there has certainly been a revolution in the way cricket based programming is created & aired, and we have set new benchmarks from an entertainment perspective. In order to deliver the very best to our viewers, we need to ensure that everything that goes into the creation of the content is the very best. Thereby, we chose the high technology studio facilities at Reliance MediaWorks, yet again. It is convenient, efficient & high quality, just perfect for all the requirements of the IPL.” 

     

    PEPSI IPL programming has a bunch of logistical requirements, in terms of technology, infrastructure and also the fact that the show is aired live. Therefore a studio environment that offers the best possible solutions on all the fronts is needed, and hence Reliance MediaWorks was the chosen destination. Agile technology and services par excellence are the key USPs of Reliance MediaWorks that are crucial in this regard.

     

    Venkatesh Roddam, Chief Executive Officer: Reliance MediaWorks added, “We are committed to providing a personalized service through our studios. We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Sony for IPL yet again and contributing to the creation of quality content for millions of cricket fans globally. We look forward to a long and successful association.”

     

    PEPSI IPL 7 continues with the cricket fervour and Extraaa Innings T20 remains one of the highlights of the show as cricket fans across the world continue to be entertained.

  • Extraaa Innings T20 uses Twitter as second screen

    Extraaa Innings T20 uses Twitter as second screen

    MUMBAI: Extraaa Innings T20, the flagship match analysis showfor Pepsi IPL on Sony MAX & Sony SIX have upped their ante with an innovative& unique digital association with Twitter this year to drive viewership and engagement for the show. Multiple new features will be introduced on the show and will seamlessly be integrated with the Twitter platform to make it an interactive and enjoyable experience for viewers.

     

    One of the most interesting integrations is “Tweet to unlock”. Viewers of the show will have a chance to unlock exclusive, fun Extraaa Innings T20 content on-air by tweeting with #eit20. On reaching the desired retweet target, users will be gratified for their efforts by getting to see the special content during the next airing of the EI T20 show.For the first time through “Twitter Mirror” the show will use personalized photo experience exclusively from the sets of EI T20 to allow the hosts, cricketers and celebrity guests to tweet out candid pictures and share customized messages with viewers through the @sonymax& @sonysixhashtag account.

     

    Through an “interactive Q&A” initiative, fans can also interact with the acclaimed panellists and guests who come on the show by addressing their questions under the hashtag #eit20. The most interesting questions asked on #eit20 will be answered live on-air. That’s not all. Extraaa Innings T20 will showcase behind-the-scenes in six secondsusing looping“Vine Videos” to give fans a sneak peek into the making of the show in real-time by tweeting them out from @sonymax and @sonysix before, during and after the show.

     

     “In India, Twitter has enabled our users to experience and participate in the biggest media moments that matter to them and has become the second screen for television. We are happy to see Extraaa Innings T20 using Twitter to help viewers connect with the show’s talent and content in real time and make the most of our unique mobile service.”Twitter India Market Director, Rishi Jaitly, said.

     Speaking on the occasion, Vaishali Sharma, VP Marketing& Communications, Sony MAX said, “Through this unique association, Sony MAX &Sony SIX are striving to capitalize on this popular and effective medium to draw in more fans. Twitter works as the perfect forum to stimulate the digitally savvy viewer. Our association with twitter will bring viewers closer to Extraaa Innings T20 through integrations that are designed to enhance their experience.”

  • Sony Max & Six take IPL to the fans, with on-ground activities

    Sony Max & Six take IPL to the fans, with on-ground activities

    MUMBAI: The biggest cricketing extravaganza – Indian Premiere League – is just a couple of days away and the official broadcaster Sony Max and Six is going all out (literally) to get the fans jumping and dancing.

    Kicking off the on-ground activities, the network rolled out its ‘Bulaava Express’, which is an open air bus, on the streets of Mumbai on Sunday carting along Kandivali, Carter road, Worli Sea face and Marine Drive.

    This unique open air bus is designed to capture the imagination of the citizens with a host of entertaining and unique activities. Be it the impromptu ‘buckram ka chukrum’ which quizzed people on their knowledge of the tournament or ‘Bulaava Bahana’ which mandated fans to confess which ‘bulaava’ they have used to watch the Pepsi IPL, the activities left the audiences hungry for more. The journey finally ended with the specially created energetic ‘Buckram dance’ which left the people spellbound.

    Speaking on the occasion, Sony Max VP marketing Vaishali Sharma says: “Bulaava Express is the perfect initiative to get the people excited about the tournament. Cricket fans were exuberant about being a part of this activity. The overwhelming response and enthusiasm of the crowd has encouraged us to take the fun and excitement to more locations.”

    The ‘Bulaava Express’ will tour the country across 13 cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Chennai, Nashik, Indore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Nagpur between April and May creating euphoria for Pepsi IPL 2014. Sony Max & Six have created this unique initiative especially for the followers of the grand spectacle of Pepsi IPL.

    Apart from the ‘Bulaava Express’, plans are afoot for mall activations as well. Activities at the mall will include the ‘Buckram Dance’- A unique buckram dance done by a troupe which popularizes the campaign track and the “buckram move”, ‘Buckram ka Chukrum’- fun games/IPL based trivia to popularise the Buckram, ‘Buckram Hunt’ and ‘Bulaava Bahaana’.

    The mall activation will also see a unique concept which is called ‘Buckram pe Buckram’. “This will be a giant size collar cut out of about 10 feet, here we will encourage people to come and write small notes saying “Iss baar kaunsi team ka bulaava aya hai” and stick it on the huge cut out,” Sharma explains.

    Storyboard Brandcom has been appointed to look after the OOH campaign for the broadcaster with the campaign spread across 97 cities in 500 sites. WATConsult is handling the digital and social marketing for the IPL. This time around the marketing spends have seen a spike of nearly 12-15 per cent as against last year by Sony.

    The broadcaster also intends to target the heartland by reaching out to more than 400 LC1 towns over the next month and a half with ‘Remote ka bulaava’. “The idea is to really get people even in the smaller towns hooked onto the game,” says Sharma. “We will also be going door to door and conducting quizzes and handing out merchandise to the winners.”

    This time around, with the help of WATConsult, the broadcaster has also launched an app that will enable the fans to catch the match action on their mobiles and further build the engagement.

    “The message we are sending out through the campaign is very clear, the call for the IPL brings out the attitude among the fans and translates into them running to catch the live match action from wherever they are,” Sharma expounds.

    The broadcaster is leaving no stone unturned in pushing its biggest property through its network. It has been running the broadcast campaign for over a couple of weeks now and will carry it on for another four weeks, spread across 95 channels.

    On print, the broadcaster has bought spots across leading dailies like; Times of India, Nav Bharat Times, Vijay Karnataka, Dainik Saamana,  Daily Thanthi, The Hindu, Vijayavani, Deccan Chronicle, Saakshi, Eenadu, Dainik Bhaskar, Divya Bhaskar, Divya Marathi, Dainik Jagran, Amar Ujala, Gujarat Samachar, Lokmat, Ajit, Anand Bazaar Patrika, among others.

    The Radio campaign is spread over two weeks across 11 stations, the broadcaster has a special plan for addressing LC1 markets where it will be playing the spots on air.

    “We have done some extremely interesting innovations with Radio Mirchi this year; Red FM, Big FM and Fever will also be promoting the campaign in a big way via contents and other interesting integrations,” reveals Sharma.

  • Sony Six to broadcast Redbull Air Race World Championship

    Sony Six to broadcast Redbull Air Race World Championship

    MUMBAI: Sticking to its promise of providing its viewers with a diverse offering of sports; Sony Six, has acquired the broadcasting rights to the Red Bull Air Race World Championship.

     

    Being one of the fastest and most exciting motorsport on the planet, the event will feature on the channel possessing sole television rights across the subcontinent. The acquisition also marks the inaugural broadcast of the series for the first time ever across Indian television screens. As the onset to the sport going live for Indian viewers, the series leads to its maiden visit to Croatia this Sunday 13 April 2014.

     

    Speaking to indiantelevision.com Sony Six business head Prasana Krishnan says: “This is a great opportunity for sports fans to witness something that has never been telecast before on Indian screens. We look at it as an essential addition to our diverse sports offering.”

     

    The fastest and fiercest global motorsport series, Red Bull Air Race utilises the most agile, lightweight racing planes. This one-of-its-kind air sport combines speed, precision and skill, as the competing pilot’s race in high-performance airplanes, between 15 and 25 meters above the ground, navigating a challenging obstacle course of Air Gate pylons at speeds of up to 370kph.

     

    “It’s a great lifestyle product to have on board, and it serves the aspirational quotient in sports enthusiast. Everyone likes fast sports like a Moto GP and a Formula One, we are targeting those individuals with this event,” adds Krishnan.

     

    The World Championship features 12 pilots from across the globe. The reigning champion from the last world championship Paul Bonhomme of the United Kingdom is also in the mix and will be looking to defend his title.

     

    An exciting feature of the 2014 Red Bull Air Race World Championship is the debut of the Challenger Cup that will give a new generation of talented pilots from around the world a chance to experience the thrills of the sport.

     

    The Roving race is set to be an electrifying follow-up to the season opener in Abu Dhabi and ardent followers of the Red Bull Air Race will be able to catch the action unfold exclusively on Six at 07:30 pm on 13 April.

  • The Indian ‘Paisa’ League

    The Indian ‘Paisa’ League

    What began as a fledgling franchise in 2008 is today a world-renowned property with brand value pegged at $3.03 billion in 2013 and the highest at $4.13 billion in 2010.

     

    The Indian Premier League (IPL) – the fallout of an altercation between the board of control for cricket in India (BCCI) and the now-defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL) – has transformed cricket into an enterprise.

     

    An American Appraisal India report – based on a survey of 300 key participants of the IPL ecosystem including team managements, sponsors, advertisers, advertising agencies and broadcasters – found 57 per cent of the respondents saying that their advertising budgets towards IPL had either risen or remained constant over the last five years. Whereas only 14 per cent of the respondents said they had actually cut their ad spends on IPL over the past five years. Over 52 per cent of the respondents also said that franchise-led sponsorships could be between Rs 15 crore to Rs 75 crore per season.

     

    According to the report, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians have emerged as the most powerful brands valued at $72 million each, followed by Kolkata Knight Riders ($69 million), and Royal Challengers Bangalore ($51 million). Rajasthan Royals ($45 million) and Delhi Daredevils ($40 million) are somewhere in the middle, with Kings XI Punjab ($32 million) and Sunrisers Hyderabad ($25 million) at the bottom of the pile.

     

    While each team is trying to claw its way back with operational improvements, trust flows with stakeholders will eventually determine the health of IPL’s long-term liquidity and profitability. For the current eight teams to sustain, their short-term operational movements need to be aligned with their strategic plans for the tourney.

     

    Further, the report estimates the merchandising valuation of IPL at $40 million, as compared to $2 billion for Spain’s La Liga. Despite having a population which is 25 times larger and an economy which is at least 25 per cent larger than that of Spain, India’s IPL is only two per cent of Spain’s La Liga in terms of merchandising. The reason is piracy and the availability of counterfeit products apart from the fact that the prices of original IPL merchandise are quite high from an Indian point of view.

     

    While there is a huge potential for the merchandising market to grow, the report also predicts it will grow ten-fold by 2020 – from $40 million to $400 million.

     

    Coming to broadcasters in the IPL universe, the tourney is currently in its seventh edition and will continue its long-standing association with Multi Screen Media (MSM), the official broadcaster of IPL, after Sony coughed up nearly $1 billion for a period of 10 years in 2008. Between 2008 and 2012, DLF was the sponsoring partner ($50 million) while from 2013 to 2017; Pepsi won the title sponsorship for a bid of nearly $66.5 million, beating its closest rival in Airtel.

     

    For the seventh edition, MSM’s two channels – Sony Max and Sony Six – have already started their Pepsi IPL campaign. The network is reportedly hiking its ad rates by 15-20 per cent and expects the revenue generated to be anywhere between Rs 900 – Rs 950 crore, despite the reduction in the number of matches played from 76 to 60. The broadcaster is learnt to have floated rates in the range of Rs 4.75- Rs 5 lakh per 10-second spots, and expects to increase them as the tourney gathers momentum.

     

    As far as viewers go, IPL’s reach was pegged at over 200 million viewers in 2013, as against about 163 million viewers in 2012. The total viewership in 2013 has been 2.6 per cent, up from the 2.2 per cent in 2012. Correspondingly, MSM earned Rs 750 crore in ad revenues in 2012 and upped it to Rs 950 crore in 2013, according to FICCI KPMG 2014.

  • MSM’s Sony Six to broadcast Yonex Sunrise India Open

    MSM’s Sony Six to broadcast Yonex Sunrise India Open

    MUMBAI: Multi Screen Media’s sports channel Sony Six will exclusively broadcast the Yonex Sunrise India Open 2014. The tournament is set to take place between 2-6 April at the Siri Fort Indoor Sports Complex in New Delhi. The tournament will witness, some of the best international badminton talent, including Men’s singles world champion Lee Chong Wei and current Women’s singles world champion Ratchanok Intanon.

     

    Sony Six business head Prasana Krishnan said in a press statement: “We are thrilled to be associated with such a grand event that hosts some of India’s brightest sporting talents. Being in its fourth edition, the tournament has garnered huge popularity and following amongst fans and spectators alike. We aim to tap into the rising popularity of badminton in India as well as leverage on the India connect with audiences through the participation of India’s finest in the tournament.”

     

    Besides the current top ranking international talent, the tournament will also feature India’s Saina Nehwal, P V Sindhu, P Kashyap and K Srikanth amongst many more vying for the prestigious title. The high profile tournament will ultimately feature a hit-list of players including the entire top-10 women and seven of the top-10 men`s singles players competing for valuable ranking points ahead of the London Olympics.

     

    This year’s open will play an even more significant role for the players as well as organisers since it features as a prologue for the upcoming Thomas and Uber Cup team championship which will he hosted at the same venue later this year.

  • SET launches Pepsi IPL’s ‘Come On, Bulaava Aaya Hai’ campaign

    SET launches Pepsi IPL’s ‘Come On, Bulaava Aaya Hai’ campaign

    MUMBAI: The IPL fever is set to grip the cricketing world once again beginning 16 April 2014 and this time around the first half it is set to kick-off in the UAE.

    The first phase of Indian Premier League (IPL) matches will be played in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.

    The official broadcasters of the IPL – Sony Max and Sony Six – have announced their big ticket marketing campaign for the Pepsi IPL 2014 coined ‘Come On, BulaavaAayaHai’.

    The broadcaster claims that the campaign is inspired from the fact that Pepsi IPL is the biggest cricketing extravaganza in the world. The word ‘Bulaava’ connotes the ‘calling’ with the main premise that the year’s most awaited and anticipated cricketing event has finally arrived and there is no way anyone would want to miss it.

    Talking about the upcoming season of the Pepsi IPL 2014, Sony Max EVP and business head Neeraj Vyas said in a statement: “In India, nothing supersedes the passion for cricket and during the IPL, that passion rises to an all-time crescendo. That is where we draw our latest campaign ‘Come On, BulaavaAayaHai’ emphasising that irrespective of anything that takes place in your life, the calling for the IPL will always reign supreme. This enthralling campaign coupled with world class talent on display is sure to entertain our viewers through this edition of IPL.”

    The campaign kicksoff with a series of four films set in diverse situations of different people’s life reaching a crescendo with three surprise films and culminating into a final Bulaava film. Be it a runaway bride drawn to the call of the IPL bugle, a son by the side of his ill mother or a priest struggling to free a woman possessed with a spirit, all films have the essence of the key nuance of IPL ‘Bulaava’, prompting people to literally drop everything to watch Pepsi IPL.

    Speaking about the campaign, Sony Max VP marketing and communications Vaishali Sharma added, “IPL entices people across age groups, gender and languages. This year’s campaign “Come On, BulaavaAayaHai’ is a unique thought that stems from the insight of how the passion of IPL overtakes every aspect of these different people’s lives highlighting their hunger for the tournament and eventually creating a huge national frenzy”.

    The marketing campaign jingle is one of the most awaited elements of this striking tournament. After the splendid response and adulation of last year’s jingle, Max has once again roped in the musical duo Vishal and Shekhar. Basing on the campaign theme, the duo has come up with yet another catchy song. The broadcasters feel the jingle is sure to be a mega hit and will set the nation grooving to the tunes.

    The entire campaign is the brainchild of the creative agency Havas Worldwide and has been directed and filmed by noted ad film director Rajesh Saathi of Keroscene Films.

    On the association with Max on the films Havas Worldwide ECD Vivek Rao stated: “The campaign idea of ‘Come on, BulaavaAayaHai’ is played on a simple truth – no other property provides more action, more entertainment or more opportunity whether you’re a viewer or a player. So no matter what calling you have, it’s the call of the IPL that’s more irresistible. After last year’s campaign, we needed something that would entertain as well as move the IPL brand forward. This seemed instinctively right.”

    Stretching across a four week period till the launch of the tournament, the Pepsi IPL 2014 campaign will have a complete 360 degree rollout across mass media. Starting with the campaign films on television, the communication will be seen by viewers across mediums like television, print, radio, digital, outdoor, onground, mobile, BTL and out of home. The campaign can also be viewed on www.SonyLIV.com, the online home of Sony Entertainment Network.

  • SONY SIX launches ‘NBA Inside Stuff: India Edition’

    SONY SIX launches ‘NBA Inside Stuff: India Edition’

    MUMBAI: For the first time in India, SONY SIX, India’s premier sports and entertainment channel, will launch a version of NBA Inside Stuff, the ground-breaking sports and entertainment all-access show, exclusively for audiences in India. The program includes behind the scenes coverage of the NBA and its players along with highlights of the league’s activities in India.

     
    Derived from the popular American television show which airs on NBA TV, the Indian version will have its own local spin of in-depth reporting highlighting some of the NBA’s biggest stars and most exciting teams, all packaged with a fresh new look to enthral Indian sports fan.  The show will air on SONY SIX every Sunday at 12:00pm with the first episode airing on Sunday, 2nd March.   Known for its trademark off-the-court features with NBA players, NBA Inside Stuff will provide fans with a unique perspective of the game. The trailblazing weekly show will tip off its first episode with a unique look at the recently concluded NBA All-Star 2014 in New Orleans.

    The 30 minute weekly show will be co-hosted by Manish Nawani and Neelam Sivia, who will take fans through an inside tour of the NBA which includes behind-the-scenes activities and off-court features about the NBA and its biggest stars. The show is designed to be interactive with the fans of the game and will also act as a platform for sport enthusiasts to sample the best of the NBA globally and basketball in India.

    On the eve of the show’s launch, Mr. Prasana Krishnan, EVP and Business head, Sony SIX said: “The show is a great hit internationally and we are sure that the familiarity supported by our localized content will help permeate the craze for NBA in the country. The show will enable viewers to connect with the sport even further. This introduction signifies our commitment to basketball and we will ensure that the Indian fan has every opportunity to enjoy the sport and its periphery in the best possible way. ”
     

    Yannick Colaco, Managing Director, NBA India, said “SONY SIX is a great partner that continues to provide new ways to bring the NBA and the game of basketball to Indian audiences. This show will provide great insight into the NBA on and off the court, which will help lead to further viewership and generate greater involvement in the game amongst fans.”

    Sony SIX is the exclusive television partner of the NBA in India.  SIX broadcasts 14 games per week during the NBA season as part of its ‘NBA Mornings on SIX’ campaign.  SIX will broadcast over 300 live regular season games in India, as well as NBA All-Star, The NBA Playoffs, and NBA Finals.  This, along with NBA Inside Stuff, represents the most comprehensive programming ever offered to fans in India.

  • starsports.com witnesses huge traffic during IPL 7 auction

    starsports.com witnesses huge traffic during IPL 7 auction

    MUMBAI: The digital arm of Star Sports – starsports.com – seems to be living up to its claim of being known as the YouTube of sports in India. The portal witnessed a huge traffic when it streamed the two day auction of the Pepsi Indian Premiere League (IPL) 2014 with five-minute delay.

     

    The reach of the auction managed to outmatch Sony Six’s 2013 Pepsi IPL player auction numbers, claims the website as it attracted close to 680,000 visits over the two days.

     

    Last year, the IPL auction on Sony Six witnessed traffic of 404,000 viewers with average time spent being 25 minutes in the male SEC ABC 15+ demographic.

     

    In comparison, starsports.com reached 387,000 viewers with average time spent on the web being 31 minutes on each day.

     

    Star India EVP and head new media Ajit Mohan said: “We had decided to produce a high quality show around the auctions, with commentary and analysis from Harsha Bhogle and Sourav Ganguly. This is a vindication of our approach. The Indian consumer is evolving fast and more and more consumers want to catch action while on the move. We are convinced that this year, the mobile screen will be where the action will be for IPL.”

     

    The highest growth in traffic was seen in the first session of the auction on 12 February when marquee players like Yuvraj Singh and Kevin Pietersen were going under the hammer. The traffic peaked at 3 pm on 12 February. And almost 60 per cent of the traffic was from sports fans between the age of 18-24 years, and almost all of the traffic was in the coveted male demographics.

     

    starsports.com is India’s first multi-sports digital service with availability across the web and mobile. Powered by live and video rights, it covers the best of world sports including major cricket tournaments, BPL, La Liga and Serie A in football, F1, hockey and tennis. This year, for the first time, all IPL matches will be available on the portal after it won the online streaming rights from Indiatimes.com this time around.

  • Sony Six to broadcast 2014 Pepsi IPL player auction

    Sony Six to broadcast 2014 Pepsi IPL player auction

    MUMBAI: ?Sony Six, India’s premier sports and entertainment channel will exclusively broadcastthe player auction that will take place before this year’s edition of the Pepsi Indian Premier League. Come February 12thand 13th, the 2014 Pepsi IPL Player Auction will be the talking point of the country as the bidding process rolls out for theseventh edition of the tournament.  The event that will see eight team owners battle it out to build their dream team, will be broadcast Live and Exclusive on Six and Six HD.

     

    With every team given the option of retaining a maximum of 5 players, this year’s auction is certain to bring up surprises, with the 8 franchise teams drafting new approaches to retain the best mix of cricketing talent. This year’s auction will feature 219 capped players (169 Indians and 50 overseas players) and will also feature 292 uncapped players (255 Indians and 37 Overseas). Indian uncapped players will be figuring in the auction for the very first time. The auction will take place at ITC Gardenia, Bengaluru, on the 12th of February, with an option to carry onto the 13th of February.

     

    The auction will be conducted by Richard Madley, a professional auctioneer from England who hasbeen conducting the player auctions since the inaugural season in 2008, and will be hosted on Six by Gaurav Kapoor and Ajay Jadeja sharing their insights on player and team strategies.

     

    Some of the top players valued at the auction include Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, Yusuf Pathan, Brad Haddin, Brad Hodge, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Kevin Pietersen, Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, Jacques Kallis, MahelaJayawardene, and Marlon Samuels.

     

    Sony Six business head Prasana Krishnan said, “This year’s auction is probably one of the biggest that we’ll see, as all teams will look for a major revamp. Six will bring an in-depth perspective into the strategy each team has chartered for the league, keeping the audience enthralled throughout the event.”

     

    The Pepsi IPL is a Twenty20 cricket league in India consisting of 8 teams. Teams will play in a round robin format where each team plays each other twice, home and away. The top 4 teams with maximum points at the end of the round robin format, qualify for the play offs. This is the 7th season of the Indian Premier League. Mumbai Indians were the winners of the previous edition in 2013.