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Tag: Sony sports

  • L&T Finance bowls a yorker with Jasprit Bumrah in new TVC

    L&T Finance bowls a yorker with Jasprit Bumrah in new TVC

    MUMBAI: Talk about delivering at pace! L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF) has just dropped a high-octane TV commercial titled ‘Just Zoom Two-wheeler Loans,’ and it’s got more zip than a Jasprit Bumrah bouncer. With the speedster himself front and centre, the campaign cheekily pitches LTF’s loan process as being just as fast and precise as Bumrah’s bowling.

    Launched to coincide with the cricket frenzy of the Asia Cup 2025, where LTF is the associate sponsor on the Sony TV broadcast network, the ad is set in a swanky two-wheeler showroom. The moment of magic? As a hesitant customer wonders about the speed of loan approvals, a TV in the background shows Bumrah charging in. In perfect sync with his iconic run-up and wicket-taking delivery, the loan is approved in real time: documents uploaded, processed, and done.

    The spot cleverly underlines the brand’s tagline ‘Bumrah ki speed par’, marrying cricket fever with financial speed, thanks to LTF’s proprietary AIML-powered credit engine, ‘Project Cyclops’. This tech marvel whirs behind the scenes, assessing credit worthiness instantly and delivering approvals with, well, Bumrah-esque precision.

    “We wanted the film to be as sharp and direct as a Bumrah yorker,” said LTF, chief marketing officer, Kavita Jagtiani. “From instant approvals to AI-powered personalisation, the campaign captures everything we stand for: speed, precision, and simplicity.”

    But this isn’t just a TV play. LTF is rolling out a full-throttle integrated marketing campaign across 13 cities, including hoardings, metro branding, airport takeovers, inflight magazine placements, and even a WhatsApp bot to help you finance your dream bike with a few taps.

    And there’s more for cricket buffs – an AI-powered ‘Bowl like Bumrah’ contest invites fans to mimic the pacer’s style and speed for a chance to win exciting prizes, including Bumrah-signed gloves. The digital buzz is further amped up through an influencer campaign and a social media blitz.

    Viewers can catch the TVC on Sony Sports (in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam), as well as Sony Pix, Sony Max, Sony Wah, and their HD variants.

  • Mayank Dayal switches gears, takes the wheel at LA Knight Riders

    Mayank Dayal switches gears, takes the wheel at LA Knight Riders

    MUMBAI: Mayank Dayal, a seasoned sports marketing whiz, has made a cracking move, transitioning from the dusty pitches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to the sun-kissed shores of Los Angeles. He’s stepped into the role of business head – Los Angeles Knight Riders, a full-time gig with Knight Riders Sports, effective June 2025. This chap knows his onions when it comes to brand building and fan frenzy, having honed his skills across two decades in global sports, media, and entertainment.

    Just five months ago, Dayal was the head of marketing for Gujarat Titans, where he was instrumental in driving brand growth and whipping up fan engagement for the IPL franchise. Before his stint with the Titans, he was a key player at Sony Sports for nearly three years, leading award-winning campaigns for behemoths like the Fifa World Cup, UEFA Champions League, Olympics, and even the WWE. Talk about a versatile player!

    His career journey reads like a thrilling sports documentary. Dayal spent over six years at Sony Pictures Networks India, climbing the ranks to head – marketing, sports, after a four-year stint as associate vice president. Prior to that, he spent a considerable nine years and one month at Viacom18 Media Pvt Ltd, where he held various marketing leadership roles, including senior manager – marketing and director, marketing for channels like Comedy Central and Vh1.

    Dayal’s early innings saw him at Star India Pvt Ltd for nearly three years, where he served as an assistant manager and assistant manager – brand solutions, crafting innovative brand integrations. He also had a four-year, five-month spell as a manager – major accounts at Star News, where he was even awarded “The Best Sales Performer.” His foundational experience includes a brief stint as a trainee – marketing at Bharat Petroleum Co. Ltd and an executive trainee at Linterland – Rural.

    With a deep understanding of audience insights and digital media fandom, Dayal is all set to knock it out of the park for the Los Angeles Knight Riders. It seems his career is always playing on the front foot, driving brand, fan, and revenue growth in the global sports arena.

  • Sony Sports Network-Akon drop the beat on “Iss Baar Drugs Ki Haar”

    Sony Sports Network-Akon drop the beat on “Iss Baar Drugs Ki Haar”

    MUMBAI:  Drugs might give you a fleeting high, but can they match the adrenaline rush of a game-winning goal or a last-second slam dunk?

    Sony Sports Network is stepping back into the ring with a knockout move—this time, they’ve got global music icon Akon in their corner! The five-time Grammy nominee is bringing the beats to the battle, lending his track Akon’s Beautiful Day (Konvict Kulture / 9122 Records) to the third phase of “Iss Baar Drugs Ki Haar”. The game plan? Crystal clear: Ditch the drugs, pick up a ball, and play for the win—because real champions choose sports, not shortcuts!

    The “Iss Baar Drugs Ki Haar” campaign has already struck a chord with millions, and now, Akon’s anthemic song adds a fresh wave of energy to the movement. The latest campaign film, featuring a dynamic montage of Indian sports icons, reinforces how sports provide a healthier, more fulfilling path for young minds. Inspired by the uplifting beats of Akon’s track, the campaign aims to guide the youth away from drugs and towards a life of passion and purpose.

    Sony Pictures Networks India CRO – distribution & international business and head – sports business, Rajesh Kaul shared his enthusiasm for the campaign, “‘Iss Baar Drugs Ki Haar’ is more than just a campaign; it’s a mission. Having a powerhouse like Akon join us amplifies our message tenfold. ‘Akon’s Beautiful Day’ perfectly encapsulates the spirit of choosing sports over harmful distractions.”

    Akon, known for hits that have transcended generations, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, “Music has the power to change lives, and I am grateful that my song can contribute to such an important cause. The world needs love and positivity, and if Akon’s Beautiful Day can inspire even one person to make the right choice, it’s a blessing.”

    The song’s inspiring message and powerful beats seamlessly align with the campaign’s mission. Akon’s Beautiful Day serves as the perfect backdrop to the stories of athletes who have harnessed the power of sports to transform their lives. This collaboration underscores the belief that sports are not just a game; they are a way of life, fostering discipline, perseverance, and resilience.

    Sony Sports Network has amplified the campaign across its platforms, reaching over 16 million+ social media followers. The movement continues to spread far and wide, with previous films from the campaign racking up impressive engagement numbers.

  • Infosys and Tennis Australia unveil AI innovations for Australian Open 2025

    Infosys and Tennis Australia unveil AI innovations for Australian Open 2025

    MUMBAI:  Are you watching the Australian Open on SonyLiv or one of the  Sony Sports channels in the wee hours of the morning?

    Pause, wait a minute – a  lot of what you are watching is courtesy of  an Indian  digital services and consulting company – Infosys.

    The firm has been mandated by Tennis Australia to unleash a cutting-edge suite of AI-driven features for the Australian Open (AO) 2025.

    This initiative marks a significant milestone in their seven-year collaboration, aimed at enhancing the immersive tennis experience through innovative technologies.

     

    getting ready to serve

    Central to these advancements is Infosys Topaz, an AI-first suite utilising generative AI technologies to revolutionise fan engagement, empower players and coaches, and expand digital interactivity in tennis. Key highlights include:

    Beyond Tennis: This pioneering offering is the world’s first generative AI-powered tennis league. Fans can interact with 16 AI-crafted virtual players across eight teams, training their teams and participating in AI-generated tournaments year-round. Dubbed The Slam That Never Stops, the league aims to captivate younger Gen Z audiences while ensuring a safe digital environment through a responsible AI framework.

    AI Commentary: The Infosys Match Centre will feature AI Commentary on AO digital properties, providing real-time insights during matches. Utilising advanced large language models, this tool will deliver concise, engaging updates at each match moment.

    VR AI Stadium: : At the Infosys Fan Zone in Melbourne Park, fans can explore a new VR AI Stadium, where they can create and play on imaginative virtual courts, including nature-inspired and themed designs.

    Wait, there’s more if you’re a tennis fan and also a technology geek.

     

    Infosys logo in the AO

    Infosys is empowering the Australian Open with video analytics and machine learning tools, providing players and coaches access to post-match reviews and pre-game video analysis. The AI Shot of the Day feature assists in rapid content creation for social media, highlighting remarkable on-court moments.

    The Infosys Fan Zone is climate-conscious, with a fully offset carbon footprint and recyclable structures. Additionally, the Future Leaders Program, powered by Infosys Springboard, offers participants digital learning and exposure to generative AI.

    Infosys executive vice president – Asia Pacific, Andrew Groth stated, “We continue to push the boundaries of technology to enhance fan engagement and player performance. Our latest generative AI innovations will redefine the experience for fans, players, and coaches.”

    Tennis Australia CEO  Craig Tiley added, “Infosys has consistently elevated our digital offerings. The AI advancements at AO 2025 will deliver new interactivity for fans and invaluable insights for players, showcasing the transformative impact of technology in tennis.”

  • Sony Pictures Networks acquires exclusive broadcast rights of Ballon d’Or 2022

    Sony Pictures Networks acquires exclusive broadcast rights of Ballon d’Or 2022

    Mumbai: Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) has acquired exclusive rights to broadcast the prestigious football award—the 2022 Ballon d’Or—in the Indian subcontinent, including India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, and Sri Lanka—and non-exclusive rights in Pakistan. The broadcaster will telecast the Ballon d’Or ceremony live on Sony Ten 2 channels on 17 October 2022, at 10:20 p.m. IST. The awards will also be live-streamed on SPN’s on-demand OTT platform, SonyLIV.

    The Ballon d’Or is an annual football award hosted by France Football that honours top football players across various European clubs. Considered amongst the top football awards, the Ballon d’Or has played a significant role in recognising the greatest football players across the world. The award, which dates back to 1956, has seen some great players rise to fame, from Stanley Matthews to Lionel Messi. In 2018, the marquee award started honouring top female players, and Ada Hegerberg became the first female footballer to receive the Ballon d’Or.

    The 66th edition of the marquee awards will go down in history as it will be the first time the results will be announced based on season and not year. With seven-time winner Lionel Messi out of the race, the 2022 Ballon d’Or will see a new winner as top football players gear up for the night. While the nominees were announced this year on 12 August, fans are rooting for Real Madrid star Karim Benzema to steal the show and win the coveted award. Other players cutting it close in the race include Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane and FC Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski. In the women’s category, Barcelona and Spain midfielder, Alexia Putellas, lead the nominee list as fan favourites, followed by Chelsea’s Sam Kerr and Arsenal’s Beth Mead.

    Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer, distribution and head of sports business Rajesh Kaul said, “The Ballon d’Or is considered the top football honour across the globe, and it is our privilege to be associated with such a prestigious award. The award is a pinnacle of recognition for football players worldwide, and we endeavour to provide such content to fans in India. The Ballon d’Or has recognised the greatest footballers in the past and continues to do so as football fans across the nation wait eagerly to see their favourite player crowned as the winner and enter the greatest of the greats club.”

  • Sony Sports Network announces to broadcast Commonwealth Games, launches new campaign

    Sony Sports Network announces to broadcast Commonwealth Games, launches new campaign

    Mumbai: Sony Sports Network gears up to live broadcast the XXII Commonwealth Games starting from 28 July 2022 at 11:00 pm. To celebrate the occasion, Sony Sports has also launched a campaign ‘Birmingham mein Jitega! Hindustan Hamara’.

    The campaign aims to rally support for the Indian contingent. The film features the prime minister Narendra Modi and minister of information and broadcasting Anurag Singh Thakur along with several Indian athletes with a rallying call to win medals at the games and celebrate our 75th Year of Independence in England.

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    The marquee event will mark the return of Sony Sports Network’s Live wraparound studio show ‘Sports Extraaa’ featuring eminent panelists and guests. The global event which will see participation from over 200 Indian athletes, will be telecast live across Sony Six, Sony Ten 1, Sony Ten 2, Sony Ten 3 & Sony Ten 4 channels, as well as live-streamed on its on-demand OTT platform SonyLIV.

    Sony Sports Network will telecast the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games with two-language feeds across its channels. In addition to this, they will also have their live studio show, ‘Sports Extraaa’ return for the games. Legendary Indian athletes like Viren Rasquinha, Somdev Devvarman, Trupti Murgunde, and Veda Krishnamurthy along with sports journalists Ayaz Memon and Siddharth Pandey will be part of the star-studded panel for the show and will be seen sharing their insights around the happenings throughout the games. It will also host eminent guests from the sports fraternity like Vijender Singh, Anju Bobby George, Satish Shivalingam, Kripashankar Bishnoi and more who will weigh in and analyse the performances of athletes from across the participating commonwealth nations.

    As part of the build-up, Sony Sports Network also launched an eight-episode show titled ‘The Torchbearers’. The first episode of the show featured the Minister of Youth Affair and Sports, and Minister of Information and Broadcasting along with Olympians Lovlina Borgohain, Nikhat Zareen, Hima Das, Lakshya Sen, Dutee Chand, Noah Nirmal Tom, Srabani Nanda, and Lakshya Sen, among others. And three episodes of the show will be telecast again on 28 July leading up to the opening ceremony which will witness the proud Indian contingent of over 200 athletes. The grand ceremony will have a live audience of over 30,000 at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.

    The quadrennial event will mark the debut of the Indian Women’s cricket team led by Harmanpreet Kaur for the Women’s Cricket T20 event. Banking on the likes of Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Jemimah Rodrigues, team India will play against Pakistan, Australia, and Barbados to qualify for the play-offs. While Indian women cricketers will look to exert their dominance in Birmingham, the heroes of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games – Lovlina Borgohain, PV Sindhu, Ravi Kumar Dahiya, Bajrang Punia, Mirabai Chanu, and the Indian hockey team will enter the marquee event with high expectations from the nation. After impressing viewers with their brilliant performances across various events, new athletes like DP Manu, Annu Rani, and Manpreet Kaur, among others will also look to increase the medal count of India.

    Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer, distribution and head – sports business Rajesh Kaul said, “After the huge success of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, it gives us immense pleasure to broadcast the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The broadcast rights for the Birmingham 2022 positions Sony Sports Network as the home for international multi-sporting events in India. Armed with a single goal to put our country on the global sporting map, our athletes have been training incessantly and it is our endeavor to showcase the stories of these national heroes. Keeping this goal in mind and to rally our support for the Indian contingent, we have also launched the ‘Birmingham Mein Jeetega Hindustan Hamara’ campaign. In addition to this, to provide a holistic viewing experience, our studio show, sports extraaa will feature stellar panelists who will provide real-time insights into various games.”

  • Sony Sports Network to broadcast the first edition of ‘Ultimate Sports Quiz’

    Sony Sports Network to broadcast the first edition of ‘Ultimate Sports Quiz’

    Mumbai: The Ultimate Sports Quiz is all set to launch on the Sony Sports Network from 5 June 2022 onwards, every Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 pm.

    The show will mark the comeback of Harsha Bhogle as a quiz show host.

    The Ultimate Sports Quiz will be aired every Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 pm (IST) starting from 5 June 2022, on Sony Ten 1 and Sony Ten 1 HD channels.

    USQ is a national-level Inter-School Sports Quiz. The 2022 edition will host 27 schools from 22 different cities across the country.

    The quiz provides a unique opportunity for the sports-loving students to pit their knowledge against some of the best quizzing minds & bring glory to their institution.

    Sony Pictures Network’s India chief revenue officer, distribution and head of sports business Rajesh Kaul said “We are delighted to bring back the sports quiz genre to television. What better destination for a sports quiz show than a sports channel with a dedicated following. Quiz shows attract a great audience because viewers love tracking and trying to put themselves in the participants’ shoes and guess the answers. Harsha Bhogle’s charming personality paired with brilliant hosting skills will keep the audiences glued to the television and asking for more.”

    VUSport founder and CEO Pratik Gosar commented, “Quiz shows were a rage in the 90s and early 2000s, and we have all grown up being glued to our television screens predicting the answers to multiple questions. Being a sports enthusiast, bringing back a sports quiz show was the only logical step for us. And partnering with a leading broadcaster like Sony Sports Network will give us an ideal platform to reach millions of sports fans across the nation and help us revive the sports quiz genre.”

    Harsha Bhogle, Indian Cricket Commentator said, “It was such a delight to host the inaugural edition of the national-level inter-school sports quiz. It took me back so many years and brought so many wonderful memories back. These kids are not only some of the brightest minds of the country but also huge sports fans.”

    The competition is also an endeavour to support grass-root level sports development by awarding a total amount of one crore in prize money to the winning schools for developing sporting infrastructure at their respective schools. Apart from this, the winners will get a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit a sporting event of their choice anywhere in the world, sponsored by DreamSetGo.

  • Sony Sports Network launches ‘Non-Stop cricket’ campaign

    Sony Sports Network launches ‘Non-Stop cricket’ campaign

    Mumbai: Sony Sports Network has launched its new campaign for cricket that provides the chance to celebrate India’s favourite game in 2022. The sports network launched the first of three films this week, which is a part of their campaign titled ‘Non-Stop cricket on Sony Sports Network’ on its sports channels and social media platforms.

    For the first time, audiences will get to see one of India’s finest cricketers, Smriti Mandhana and Bollywood’s most talked-about actor, Pankaj Tripathi, come together to promote the non-stop cricketing action on the sports network. The campaign also emphasises the cricket roster on the network with the apt tagline ‘Ab cricket fans ke pass hai celebration ka big reason, kyunki sony pe dikhega cricket ka full seasons.’

    The campaign stands out from other conventional cricket campaigns as the first-time viewers will see one of India’s biggest women cricketers helming the campaign for all formats of men’s and women’s cricket.  

    Sony Pictures Networks India, chief revenue officer, distribution and head-sports business, Rajesh Kaul said, “We have taken a clutter-breaking approach and used a leading woman cricketer to promote men’s cricket in a first of its kind campaign. Smriti Mandhana, the opening batter for Team India was a perfect choice to front our campaign, ‘Non-Stop cricket on Sony Sports Network’ and the film showcase and cement our position as the best destination for year-round quality cricketing action. With over 1800 hours of Live cricket, our fans will get to watch exciting matches that include India Men’s and Women’s cricket series, International T20i leagues and more.”

    Bollywood actor Pankaj Tripathi said, “I am delighted to be a part of such an inclusive campaign by Sony Sports Network where Bollywood meets cricket in an innovative manner. The campaign takes a clutter-breaking route with Smriti Mandhana, one of India’s top cricketers, promoting men’s cricket among others from the non-stop cricket roster on their network.”

    India Women’s Cricket Team member Smriti Mandhana added, “I am excited to be a part of the ‘Non-Stop cricket on Sony Sports Network’ campaign. The messaging is not only innovative but also progressive. It is a great association, and I am looking forward to the cricketing season on Sony Sports Network.”

  • Sony Sports to broadcast ‘Badminton Asia Championships 2022’

    Sony Sports to broadcast ‘Badminton Asia Championships 2022’

    Mumbai: Sony Sports Network will broadcast the upcoming Badminton Asia Championships 2022. The tournament will take place between 26 April and 2 May 2022. The network will get exclusive TV and digital rights to the tournament. The event will be broadcasted in India and the subcontinent, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

    Badminton Asia Championships, rechristened version of the Asian Badminton Championships, will make its comeback in 2022, after being called off in 2020 and 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament will be held in Manila, Philippines.

    The tournament will be televised between 29 April 2022 and 1 May 2022 with matches starting from 1:30 pm on April 29 and 10:30 am on the remaining two days.

    The high-octane matches will be available on Sony TEN 2 channels, as well as live-streamed on Sony Picture’s Networks’ on-demand OTT platform SonyLIV.

    India will be represented by Kidambi Srikanth in the men’s singles events. The women’s singles will see PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal representing the country. The men’s doubles will have prominent Indian duos like Satwiksairaj Rankireddy & Chirag Shetty, Arjun M.R & Dhruv Kapila and Krishna Prasad Garaga & Vishnuvardhan Goud Panjala. The women’s double will feature Simran Singhi with Ritika Thaker and the Mixed Doubles tournament will witness Indian participation with Ishaan Bhatnagar & Tanisha Crasto and Venkat Gaurav Prasad & Juhi Dewangan.   

    Sony Pictures Network’s Chief Revenue Officer and Distribution and Head – Sports Business, Rajesh Kaul said, “The following for badminton is steadily growing with strong performances by Indian players like PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth and others in global marquee tournaments in the last few years.”

    “And badminton fans will once again get to see these players in action at the Badminton Asia Championship on Sony Sports Network. Broadcasting the Badminton Asia Championships will not only serve fans of the sport but also foster a multi-sport viewing culture in the country.”
     

  • Viacom18 to launch two sports channels on 15 April

    Viacom18 to launch two sports channels on 15 April

    Viacom18 will be launching its two English sports channels Sports18 1 SD and Sports18 1 HD on 15 April, said the company’s distribution arm IndiaCast in a public notice recently.

    The SD and HD channels will be available at a reasonable price. 

    The company has reduced the price of its sports channel from Rs 12 to Rs 8. The charges will be applicable excluding taxes, levies and cess.

    According to the media reports, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had granted fresh licenses to Viacom18 and Star India in June 2021. Four licenses were granted to both networks separately. Viacom18 is launching its new sports channel with these licenses.

    The launch of these two sports channels is backed up by Reliance as its own stake in Viacom18. 

    In addition, a one-month promotional offer for distribution platform operators (DPOs) is available where both the sports channels will not be charged any costs. The scheme will commence on 15 April and will expire on 14 May.

    Moreover, Viacom18 also has acquired media rights to properties like La Liga, FIFA World Cup, Serie A, NBA, Ligue1, and Abu Dhabi T10 series. 

    The new sports channels of the network will be competing with both Star sports and Sony Sports.