Tag: Sony Sports Network

Sony Sports Network unveils Australian Open 2025 coverage across India

MUMBAI: As the sun rises over Melbourne Park, the echoes of rackets and roars of the crowd signal the dawn of Grand Slam week—a tennis fan’s ultimate dream.

Sony Sports Network is all set to serve an ace with exclusive live coverage of the Australian Open 2025, running from 12-26 January.

From the thrill of a five-set marathon to the elegance of a perfectly executed backhand, fans can experience it all in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, bringing the action closer to every corner of India.

With marquee sponsors like Rolex, Amul, Kia Motors, and Apple rallying alongside, Sony promises a broadcast that’s as electrifying as a match point on Rod Laver Arena.

The tournament will kick off on Sunday, 12 January, a strategic adjustment aimed at enhancing the experience for both players and fans by reducing late-night match strain. Viewers can expect thrilling performances from top players, including defending champion Jannik Sinner, 10-time winner Novak Djokovic, and women’s World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.

In addition to Sinner and Djokovic, players like Alexander Zverev (World No.2), Carlos Alcaraz (World No.3), Taylor Fritz (World No.4), and Daniil Medvedev (World No.4) will compete for glory. The women’s draw features fierce competition with Iga Swiatek (World No.2) vying for the title. Adding to the excitement is the return of Nick Kyrgios, aiming to make a triumphant comeback.

Indian players will also feature prominently, with Rohan Bopanna, Sumit Nagal, Yuki Bhambri, and Sriram Balaji participating. Rithvik Bollipalli, ranked 72 in doubles, will make his Grand Slam debut, building on his successful 2024 season, which included his first ATP Tour title.

The exclusive broadcast will feature EXTRAAA SERVE, a panel of experts including Sania Mirza, Somdev Devvarman, and Purav Raja, who will deliver insights and analysis.

Mirza expressed excitement about the competition, stating, “I have some of my fondest memories at the Australian Open and I look forward to being back in the expert’s chair for Sony Sports Network’s EXTRAAA SERVE. I am also excited to watch the 2025 season, as Rohan Bopanna and Sumit Nagal will represent India. The competition is about to get more interesting as this season will bring lots of opportunities, whether it’s for Jannik Sinner, who looks to defend his title or its Novak Djokovic, who is looking to restore his past glory. Adding to the Melbourne heat will be the contest between Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.”

Devvarman praised the network’s efforts, saying, “Over the years, Sony Sports Network has become the home for the Australian Open and it gives me immense pleasure to return to the commentary box and the studio chair for yet another exciting season. The 2025 edition of the tournament will set the tone for the upcoming Australian Open tournaments and other Grand Slams especially when it comes to the next legend in tennis.”

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), chief revenue officer – distribution and international business and head – sports business, Rajesh Kaul commented, “The Australian Open has established itself as the preferred Grand Slam among Indian tennis fans, differentiated by its entertainment quotient and the presence of top-seeded players. It is the most watched Grand Slam on linear television over the last three years. We are committed to continuing this momentum and delivering premier tennis action to our Indian audiences. The response from advertisers has been exceptionally positive, with prestigious brands such as Rolex, Kia Motors, Apple and more joining us for this remarkable tournament.”

Sony Sports Network’s #WHEREGREATNESSBEGINS campaign celebrates the tournament as a platform for unearthing future tennis legends.

Fans can catch the live action on Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), and Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD (English). Matches will also be live-streamed on Sony LIV, starting 5:30 am IST daily.

January 10, 2025
World Tennis League Season 3 action on Sony Sports from 19 December

MUMBAI: Four days of fast-paced tennis starting today, 19 December, with some of the leading players globally battling it out in the World Tennis League (WTL) Season 3 for the title of champion team. That’s what tennis lovers are going to be glued to on the Sony Sports Network (SSN) till 22 December.

SSN has acquired the exclusive television and digital rights for the tournament for India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The year-end treat has Sania Mirza and Rob Koeing serving as commentators.

The WTL is a one of its kind mixed gender leagues which is being held at the Etihad Arena, Yas Island, in Abu Dhabi with thrilling match ups between four teams namely Eagles, Falcons, Hawks and Kites.

What makes the tournament even more interesting is the presence of the players like Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud, Daniil Medvedev, Nick Kyrgios, Taylor Fritz, Hubert Hurkacz and Sumit Nagal from India in the Men’s. On the other hand, the women stars participating include the likes of Iga Swiatek, Barbora Krej?íková, Paula Badosa, Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, Caroline Garcia, Jasmine Paolini, and Mirra Andreeva.

During the tournament, the teams will play each other in a round-robin format. Each tie will consist of four sets: one men’s singles match, one women’s singles match, and two doubles sets, which may include men’s doubles, women’s doubles, or mixed doubles, as determined by the team that wins the coin toss.

Following the round-robin phase, the top two teams will face off in the final on 22 December 2024.

The squads are as follows:

Eagles – Iga Swiatek, Barbora Krej?íková, Hubert Hurkacz, Casper Ruud
Hawks – Aryna Sabalenka, Mirra Andreeva, Taylor Fritz, Sumit Nagal
Falcons – Elena Rybakina, Caroline Garcia, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev
Kites – Jasmine Paolini, Paula Badosa, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Nick Kyrgios

The WTL can be watched live on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD channels & on Sony LIV

Live performances by ageing evergreen Canadian rockstar Bryan Adams and Anastacia (19 December) and by Akon (21 December) are other standouts for the WTL What was not clear at the time of writing was whether the performances were going to be aired. So if you are a fan of any of these and the top tennis ranked players, head out and book your flight tickets as well as tickets for the arena.

December 19, 2024
Sony Sports Network to air Bihar Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Rajgir 2024 live

Mumbai: Sony Sports Network will telecast the Bihar Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Rajgir 2024 live for hockey fans across India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. This much-anticipated continental tournament will be held from 11 to 20 November 2024 at the newly built Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Bihar.

Sony Sports Network will ensure a seamless broadcast of the tournament, where the Indian Women’s Team has an impressive record. Having won the trophy for the first time in 2016, India enters the competition as the defending champion after reclaiming the title in Ranchi in 2023. With this victory, India joined Japan as one of only two teams to have won the trophy twice. The Indian team will face strong competition from Olympic silver medallist China, as well as Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Led by captain Salima Tete and vice-captain Navneet Kaur, India will play against Malaysia on the tournament’s opening day, eager to secure an early victory. After missing out on qualification for the Paris Olympics this year, the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy presents a vital opportunity for the team to start afresh.

India must achieve a top-four finish among the six participating teams to advance to the semi-finals on 19 November. The winners of the Semi-Finals will then progress to the Final, scheduled for 20 November. This tournament also marks the Indian women’s hockey team’s first Asian competition under chief coach Harendra Singh, who took charge earlier this year.

All the matches will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD and HD channels and live streamed on SonyLIV, starting from 1500 hrs IST.

November 8, 2024
Sony Sports Network launches new Tamil Cricket Podcast – ‘Cricket Petta’

Mumbai: Sony Sports Network announced its latest initiative, Cricket Petta, a Tamil podcast dedicated to cricket fans, a first by a sports broadcaster in India. “Cricket Petta” – translating to Cricket Locality, aims to engage Tamil-speaking cricket enthusiasts by providing entertaining and insightful discussions on various aspects of the game with a local touch. Hosted by the versatile Tamil multi-sports commentator, Arun Venugopal, the five-episode podcast offers a refreshing take on cricket’s rich legacy and beyond.

The first episode will be released on 30 October 2024, with new episodes airing every Wednesday until 27 November 2024. The podcast will be available on all leading Podcast platforms including YouTube, JioSaavan, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and Hungama.

The inaugural episode, titled “Is Ashwin the Greatest Player from Tamil Nadu to Represent India?”, features a lively discussion with former India Women’s Coach as well as India and Tamil Nadu player W.V. Raman, alongside current Puducherry and Tamil Nadu cricketer Arun Karthik. They share hilarious anecdotes and insider stories from their time with Ashwin, offering fans rare glimpses into dressing room dynamics.

Each episode will spotlight expert discussions on trending cricket topics, bringing the sport’s greatest moments and personalities to life. For instance, L. Sivaramakrishnan will compare the captaincy styles of M.S. Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma in one episode. Another will feature R. Sridhar and Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan debating iconic cricket venues such as Eden Gardens versus Wankhede Stadium.

Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer – distribution & international business and head – sports business, Rajesh Kaul said, “We are proud to launch Cricket Petta, marking our first Tamil- language podcast aimed at bringing the local flavour and rich cricketing narratives to regional audiences. Tamil Nadu has a rich cricketing history and at Sony Sports Networks we are constantly looking to bring out the stories sporting heroes to the Indian sports fans and the five-part series will only serve in fulfilling our objective of bringing communities closer through innovative sports programming. This is the first of many podcasts we intent to roll out, across sports and multiple languages in our ongoing endeavour to bring more stories to sports fans across India and the globe.”

Venugopal said, “With Cricket Petta, we’re offering an authentic look into Tamil Nadu’s cricket culture. Each episode explores unique perspectives, fascinating stories, and deep insights into the game we all love. Whether it’s discussing Ashwin’s remarkable journey or revisiting classic cricket moments, this podcast will resonate with fans who are passionate about the sport. I’m thrilled to be a part of this initiative and bring these conversations to the Tamil-speaking audience.”

October 30, 2024
Sony Sports Network sets new benchmark for football broadcasting in India

Mumbai: Sony Sports Network has set new benchmarks in the Indian sports broadcasting landscape, showcasing the immense growth of football viewership across diverse demographics. The growing popularity of European football in India is undeniable, with an increasing fan base eagerly following international tournaments like the Euros. This trend reflects a broader shift in sports preferences among Indian audiences, presenting Sony Sports Network with opportunities to expand its influence in the sports broadcasting landscape.

From August 2023 to July 2024, the network has delivered an impressive 2,177 hours of live football coverage, the highest among all sports broadcasters in India. Likewise, Sony Sports has also recorded the most viewership for football on Pay Sports channels in India with 63.3 GRPs and an overall reach of 85.7 million among pay sports channels for all Live + Non-Live SOCCER (BARC) for the period from 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2024. (TG: BARC, All India Male 15+ ABC, SOCCER). It also has the highest reach among pay sports channels for all Live + Non-Live SOCCER (BARC) for the period from 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2024 (TG: BARC, All India CS 2+, SOCCER). This staggering amount of airtime showcases the network’s commitment to bringing the beautiful game to millions of fans across the country.

Sony Sports Network is the exclusive home to a wide array of prestigious football properties. This includes the highly anticipated UEFA EURO 2028, one of the most celebrated tournaments in international football. Similarly, they hold broadcasting rights for the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Europa Conference League, and UEFA Nations League, among others.

The network also covers the European Qualifiers, UEFA Youth League, international friendlies, the Emirates FA Cup, Bundesliga, Roshn Saudi League, and the DFB Pokal. This vast array of football content ensures that viewers have access to a comprehensive and diverse range of football action, from elite European club competitions to global international fixtures.

Starting from the 2024/25 season, the UEFA Champions League will adopt a new format that includes 36 clubs competing in a Swiss league system. This change introduces four additional teams, providing more opportunities for clubs to face Europe’s elite.

Fans can look forward to a continuous flow of European club football from August to May, as the tournament will no longer have a January break. The revamped format will see a remarkable 51 per cent increase in matches, adding over 125 games to the schedule.

To cater to Indian audiences, the number of early kickoff matches will nearly double, featuring up to 38 such matches per season. The duration for early kickoff slots has also expanded from 12 to 22 days, ensuring both Group and Knockout stages include these popular times.

For Indian viewers, matches will start at 10:15 PM until Daylight Savings Time, after which they will begin at 11:15 PM. This evolution in the competition promises to enhance the viewing experience and further grow the sport’s popularity.

Speaking of an oldest football tournament particularly in Asia, the 133rd edition of the Durand Cup has gained its legacy as one of India’s premier tournaments, led by the armed forces. Over the past two years, Sony Sports Network has collaborated closely with the Durand Organizing Committee to elevate the event to new heights. Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan spearheaded the campaign, while former national team captain Sunil Chhetri, who recently retired, also featured prominently in the promotional film. In a historic moment, the Indian president Droupadi Murmuru, unveiled the trophies and launched the trophy tour, marking the first presidential involvement in 36 years.

Additionally, Sony Sports Network’s effective marketing strategies, like the appointment of Aaryan as the brand ambassador for the “Universe Ka Sabse Bada Football Festival of 2024” campaign, aims to engage a younger, more affluent audience, expanding the sport’s reach beyond traditional markets like Northeast India, Goa, Kerala, and West Bengal. In this campaign, Aaryan dons the avatar of an alien to symbolize the universal appeal and excitement surrounding the event, emphasizing that UEFA Euro 2024 is not just a football tournament but a global festival that transcends boundaries. His involvement adds a touch of entertainment and relatability, ensuring the campaign resonates with fans across the country.

The integration of OTT platforms ensures that matches are accessible both on television and online, catering to the evolving consumption habits of modern viewers who prefer streaming content. Although many industry experts have delved that TV is by any day a preferred destination, as viewing sports on a large screen is highly beneficial and entertaining to the viewers especially when watching with family. In addition to high-definition broadcasts, Sony Sports Network has significantly expanded its multilingual commentary offerings. Recognising the diverse linguistic landscape of India, the network provides commentary in multiple regional languages,for marquee tournaments and matches including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Bengali to resonate with a broader audience and make them feel included in the excitement.

If we talk about one particular challenge that stands out, it would definitely be cricket’s dominant viewership. Cricket receives extensive media coverage across all platforms, including television, print, and digital media. Major cricket events dominate sports news and attract a significant portion of advertising revenue, often leaving little room for other sports. With cricket’s extensive reach and established fan base, football often competes for limited viewing slots and advertising revenue. This competition makes it difficult for football events to secure the same level of attention and financial backing.

Despite these shortcomings, the viewership figures are a clear indicator of the increasing appetite for football in India, transcending traditional boundaries and attracting a wide range of viewers. The network’s ability to captivate such a large audience highlights the effectiveness of its content strategy and its understanding of the evolving sports preferences of Indian audiences. By offering the maximum number of live football hours, boasting the largest bouquet of football properties and achieving the highest cumulative reach, it is no doubt that Sony Sports Network has set a new standard for sports broadcasting in India.

September 23, 2024
Arm wrestling excitement returns with Pro Panja League Season 2

Mumbai: Arm-wrestling fans around the world are all set to witness some of the best arm-wrestlers live in action as India’s very own arm-wrestling league, Pro Panja League, returns for the second season from 4 October 2024 to 20 October 2024. The league is continuing its partnership with India’s leading sports broadcaster, Sony Sports Network ensuring extensive live coverage of the tournament on Sony Sports Ten 3 SD and HD channels every day from 7 00 pm onwards.

As part of the pre-launch buzz, Pro Panja League and Sony Sports Network had launched its campaign featuring superstar John Abraham championing the league and his film, Vedaa.

This season will feature a total of 180 arm-wrestlers from all parts of the country across 6 teams, competing against each other in the men’s, women’s and specially abled categories for the coveted trophy.

Pro Panja League, co-founded by Bollywood actors & producers Parvin Dabas and Preeti Jhangiani along with Bollywood Legend Mr Suniel Shetty as partner, previously held two editions of ranking tournaments, multiple mega matches along with several promotional events before the first season in 2023, which turned out to be a huge success with 32 million unique viewers (BARC CS 2 + Live + Non-live). The Pro Panja League has helped catapult the sport of arm wrestling to a wider audience in India.

Expressing his thoughts ahead of Season 2, Pro Panja League co-owner Mr. Parvin Dabas said, “The first season proved that there is a huge audience for the sport of Panja if presented in the right way and we are grateful for the audience’s love. This season promises to be even more electrifying, with players realising the huge stakes involved and having prepared now on a different level altogether. We are committed to showcasing the best talent to bring Panja as Sports Entertainment to Bharat and are excited to be partnering with the Sony Sports Network again in this endeavour.”

Talking about the partnership, Mr. Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer – Distribution & International Business and Head – Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India, said, “We believe in supporting home-grown leagues and are glad to continue our partnership with Pro Panja League as the broadcasters for the second season. We believe that the audience for arm-wrestling as a sport is growing in India and we are excited to be a part of driving up this momentum.”

September 5, 2024
Sony Sports Network presents ‘Desh ka Cup’

Mumbai: Sony Sports Network (SPN) has continued its association with the prestigious IndianOil Durand Cup. The broadcaster had acquired the exclusive media rights to broadcast Asia’s oldest tournament in India, between 2023 and 2024 last year. Besides India, the 133rd edition of the tournament is currently also being broadcast in neighbouring Afghanistan, Maldives, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.

The Durand Cup is the only cup in India that can truly be called ‘Desh Ka Cup’, because of its deep rooted 136-year-old legacy and more so because this legacy is intertwined with that of the Indian Armed Forces.

The 133rd IndianOil Durand Cup features 24 teams spread across six different groups in four cities, with the toppers and the best two second-placed sides maling it to the quarter-finals.

This year’s Durand Cup received a touch of grandeur, when in a rekindling of a very old tradition and in a historic moment for Indian football, no less than the Hon. President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, unveiled the three coveted winner’s trophies, the President’s Cup, the Shimla Trophy and the original prize the Durand Cup, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan’s cultural centre on 10 July, 2024, while also flagging-off this year’s Trophy Tour.

The grand finale meanwhile, is scheduled for 31 August 2024 at the iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in football-crazy Kolkata, which saw a full-house of 65,000 roaring fans last time around.

The group league games are being played in Jamshedpur, Shillong and Kokrajhar, besides Kolkata. The first two named will be hosting the tournament for the first time.

Football fans can catch all the action on the Sony Sports Ten 2 channel and the matches will also be available for livestreaming, exclusively on SPN’s premium OTT platform, Sony LIV.

The Durand Cup, first held in 1888, got its name after its founder Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, the then Foreign Secretary to the Government of India. It is the only Cup competition at the top level of Indian football which pits all Indian Super League (Indian top division) teams against top I-League (second division) and other invitational teams, as well as teams from the Armed Forces, against each other. This year a team from the Royal Nepal Army are also participating.

Football fans have already witnessed one thrilling derby this season, with NorthEast United FC securing a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bodoland FC in the Assam Derby. But the excitement doesn’t end there.

The spotlight now shifts to one of the grandest derbies in the world, the Kolkata Derby, scheduled for 18th August, where Mohun Bagan Super Giant will face off against rivals Emami East Bengal FC.

Fans can look forward to some top-quality football matches with the cream of Indian football playing in the Durand Cup including the likes of Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhinghan, Adrian Luna, Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Sahal Abdul Samad, Anirudh Thapa, Dimitrios Diamantakos, among others. With such elite talent expected to grace the pitch, the tournament promises to elevate the excitement and thrill for the fans.

Comments:

Sony Pictures Networks India Chief Revenue Officer – Distribution & International Business and Head – Sports Business Rajesh Kaul said, “It’s an honour for us to have a competition of football heritage and immense prestige as Durand Cup on our roster. It further reaffirms Sony Sports Network’s position as the Home of Football in India. This year’s edition brings a lot of promising competition to the table and fans can look forward to some top-quality games as the new football season kicks off in style.”

Durand Cup Organizing Committee (DCOC) VSM Chief of Staff, HQ, Eastern Command and Chairman Lt. Gen. RC Srikanth said, “The Durand Cup Organising Committee is extremely happy to continue their partnership with a world-class broadcaster like the Sony Sports Network for the prestigious IndianOil Durand Cup, this year into its 133rd Edition. The Durand Cup is no ordinary tournament as it provides a unique platform for budding footballers from every corner of the country to rub shoulders with world class legends. We are confident that the legacy of the Durand shall be carried forth to greater heights with a partner like Sony Sports Network standing by steadfastly.”

August 7, 2024
Sony Sports flags off anti-drugs movement

MUMBAI: Drugs and their abuse are two of the most worrisome habits amongst India’s youth. And Sony Sports Network has put its best foot behind an effort to curtail the consumption of hallucinogens. Titled ‘Iss Baar Drugs Ki Haar,’ its mission is to motivate Indian youth and do it over the long term.

According to a United Nations study, approximately 13 percent of drug abuse victims in India are below 20, with the nation experiencing a 70 percent rise in narcotic consumption over the past eight years. And in most instances, drugs are usually introduced to youngsters by someone they know, in many cases, a friend.

“Sony Sports Network is extremely proud to launch the Iss Baar Drugs Ki Haar’ movement and we sincerely believe that sports has the power to instil and bring about a positive change among the youth,” says Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer -distribution & international business and head – sports business Rajesh Kaul. “In association with India’s top athletes across disciplines, we are confident of making a statement and inspiring young India to stay away from the influence of drugs.”

Prominent athletes of India across disciplines have joined hands with Sony Sports Network to spread the Iss Baar Drugs Ki Haar message to young India. In the films, these sporting icons are spreading awareness of the harmful effects of drugs and aiming to inspire as well as encourage people to choose the life of a champion by saying no to drugs.

Newly appointed head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, Gautam Gambhir, football stalwarts like Sunil Chhetri and Bhaichung Bhutia, multiple grand slam winner Sania Mirza, icons like Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal, Indian women’s cricket team vice-captain, Smriti Mandhana, Indian Hockey veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, Indian men’s hockey team’s former captain Manpreet Singh and two-time world champion boxer Nikhat Zareen are featured in these films. In addition to this, Indian football team captain and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, former team India cricketer Ashish Nehra, team India cricketer Deepak Chahar, Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal, ace Indian shooter Anjum Moudgil, Indian women’s hockey goalkeeper Savita Punia, Asian Games gold medallist Chirag Shetty and Satwik Rankireddy, Puja Tomar who created history as the first Indian to win a fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Indian women’s team bowler Sneh Rana are just some of eminent personalities who have come forward to be a part of Sony Sports Network’s public service movement.

‘Iss Baar Drugs Ki Haar’ is aimed at potential first-time drug users to make the right choice and saying NO to sampling drugs. The whole movement of Iss Baar Drugs Ki Haar aims to motivate young India and emphasize living a fit, fulfilling, and healthy life through sports rather than succumbing to drug abuse.

July 31, 2024

Sony Sports Network reignites an exciting cricket rivalry with live telecast of India Tour of Sri Lanka

Mumbai: After a resounding win over Zimbabwe in their own backyard, Team India is set for another litmus test as they travel down south to face Sri Lanka for a limited-over series. The two sides will face each other across three T20Is in Pallekele, followed by three ODIs in Colombo. The series, starting Saturday, 27 July 2024, will be broadcast LIVE on Sony Sports Network from 7:00 PM IST onwards.

World Champions India picked up where they left off in the recently concluded T20 World Cup to defeat Zimbabwe 4-1 in a T20I series. A new-look India travelled to Harare to prove their caliber as the country ushers in a new era of cricket, following the retirement of legendary players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja from T20I cricket. Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli, however, will feature in the ODIs against the Lankans.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be looking to bank on their young talent to deliver on their home turf as they aim to restore the glory days of the past. Focus will be on key players including Matheesha Pathirana along with Pathum Nissanka and Wanindu Hasaranga who feature in the top 10 men’s ODI Batting and T20I all-rounder ICC rankings. Interestingly, the two sides will also have new head coaches at the helm when they face each other with Gautam Gambhir leading India for the first time and Sanath Jayasuriya taking the charge for Sri Lanka.

The age-old rivalry between the Men in Blue & the Lankan Lions has seen many twists & turns from the times of cricket greats like Rahul Dravid & Sachin Tendulkar for India & Kumar Sangakkara & Mahela Jayawardena for Sri Lanka. It is time for the next generation of players including Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Maheesh Theekshana & Matheesh Pathirana, to take the baton forward and write a new chapter in this rivalry.

As cricket gains pace on Sony Sports Network, with the broadcast of India Tour of Zimbabwe, Major League Cricket (MLC), West Indies Tour of England & Vitality T20 Blast, their flagship studio show Extraaa Innings returns with an exciting roster of English commentators including Robin Uthappa, Scott Styris, Saba Karim and Abhinav Mukund supported by Sri Lankan commentators Roshan Abeysinghe and Russell Arnold. The Hindi roster comprises Ashish Nehra, Ajay Jadeja, Pragyan Ojha, Vivek Razdan and Aakash Chopra while the Tamil & Telugu panel will have Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan, R. Sridhar, Anirudha Srikkantha, TR Arasu, Venkatapathy Raju, Ashish Reddy and Akshath Reddy respectively.

The broadcast of Sri Lanka vs India will be in prime time for Indian fans as they can enjoy watching their favorite cricketers in action live on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 5 (English), Sony Sports Ten 3 (Hindi) & Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil & Telugu) channels.

India Squad for T20Is:

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Ꮪhubman Gill (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj.

India Squad for ODIs:

Rohit Sharma (C), Ꮪhubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana.

Sri Lanka Squad for T20Is:

Charith Asalanka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando.

Comments:

Mr. Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer – Distribution & International Business and Head – Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India:

“The broadcast of India Tour of Sri Lanka solidifies Sony Sports Network’s position as a global multi-sports arena for audiences in India. These are exciting times for Indian cricket with the team’s recent T20 World Cup victory, the rise of new young players and the appointment of new head coach. India Tour of Sri Lanka comes at the perfect time for Indian fans who will be eager to watch the new-look team in action at prime time.”

Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley De Silva:

“We are delighted to welcome India for a limited-over series for the first time since 2021. It will be exciting to see how the team performs under the new head coach. The two teams have a fair share of history between themselves, and it will be exciting to see some top-quality matches during the series, which will be broadcast on Sony Sports Network.”

Watch the live coverage of India Tour of Sri Lanka from 27 July, 7:00 PM IST onwards LIVE on Sony Sports Ten 1. Sony Sports Ten 5 (English), Sony Sports Ten 3 (Hindi) and Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil / Telugu) channels.

Match	Date	Time (IST)	Channel
Sri Lanka vs. India 2024 1st T20i	27/07/24	19:00	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD (Tamil & Telugu)
Sri Lanka vs. India 2024 2nd T20i	28/07/24	19:00	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD (Tamil & Telugu)
Sri Lanka vs. India 2024 3rd T20i	30/07/24	19:00	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD (Tamil & Telugu)
Sri Lanka vs. India 2024 1st ODI	02/08/24	14:30	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD (Tamil & Telugu)
Sri Lanka vs. India 2024 2nd ODI	04/08/24	14:30	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD (Tamil & Telugu)
Sri Lanka vs. India 2024 3rd ODI	07/08/24	14:30	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD (Tamil & Telugu)

July 25, 2024

Collaboration between Sony Sports Network and UEFA Euro holds immense significance for the Indian market: Rajesh Kaul

Mumbai: Sony Sports Network has geared up to elevate the sports broadcasting experience in India with its role as the official broadcaster partner for the ongoing UEFA European Championship (Euros). For Sony Sports Network, this partnership represents more than just airing matches—it’s about delivering premium football content that resonates deeply with Indian audiences.

The network’s strategy includes enhancing the viewing experience with cutting-edge features such as high-definition broadcasts, multilingual commentary options, and interactive elements, ensuring every fan can enjoy the games to the fullest.

Beyond technical enhancements, Sony Sports Network is focused on fostering a vibrant community of football enthusiasts in India. By engaging directly with fans and creating compelling content around the Euros, the network aims to deepen connections and cultivate long-lasting viewer loyalty.

The growing popularity of European football in India is undeniable, with an increasing fan base eagerly following international tournaments like the Euros. This trend reflects a broader shift in sports preferences among Indian audiences, presenting Sony Sports Network with opportunities to expand its influence in the sports broadcasting landscape.

Indiantelevision.com caught with SPNI’s Chief Revenue Officer – Distribution & International Business and Head – Sports Business Rajesh Kaul.

Edited excerpts

On the significance of Sony Sports Network being the official broadcasting partner for the Euros in India

The collaboration between Sony Sports Network and UEFA Euro holds immense significance for the Indian market, as Indian audiences now have access to top-tier European club football. Once we included regional language commentary in English, Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Bengali it greatly enhanced viewership. The viewership impressions for UEFA EURO 2020 were more than triple those of the previous edition, reflecting the growing interest in international football in India.

Moreover, the involvement of prestigious brands such as State Bank of India, Honda Motorcycles, Pepsi, and Yamaha among others, in addition to the ones we are in the process of onboarding, further amplifies the event’s appeal and commercial viability in the Indian market.

Additionally, Sony Sports Network’s effective marketing strategies, like the appointment of Bollywood star Kartik Aaryan as the brand ambassador for football, aim to engage a younger, more affluent audience, expanding the sport’s reach beyond traditional markets like Northeast India, Goa, Kerala, and West Bengal. The integration of digital platforms like SonyLIV ensures that matches are accessible both on television and online, catering to the evolving consumption habits of modern viewers who prefer streaming content. Overall, the collaboration between Sony Sports Network and UEFA underscores the network’s commitment to enhancing the football viewing experience in India and fostering the sport’s growth by making it more accessible and engaging for a diverse audience.

On Sony Sports Network enhancing the viewing experience through high-definition broadcasts, multilingual commentary, and interactive features.

Sony Sports Network is dedicated to enhancing the viewing experience for football fans through a combination of high-definition broadcasts, multilingual commentary, interactive features, and expert analysis. By leveraging state-of-the-art technology, Sony Sports Network ensures that all matches are broadcast in high-definition, providing viewers with a more immersive and engaging experience that captures every detail of the action on the pitch.

In addition to high-definition broadcasts, Sony Sports Network has significantly expanded its multilingual commentary offerings. Recognizing the diverse linguistic landscape of India, the network provides commentary in multiple regional languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Bengali. This approach not only makes the content accessible to a broader audience but also enhances viewer connection and engagement by delivering the game in their preferred language.

To further bring fans closer to UEFA Euro 2024, Sony Sports Network has assembled a robust group of expert panellists. This distinguished lineup includes former France captain Patrice Evra, former India captains Sunil Chhetri and Bhaichung Bhutia, former India forward Robin Singh, India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and former international stars David James, Don Hutchison, Terry Phelan, Ashley Westwood, and Mark Seagraves. The in-depth analysis provided by these experts on the Football Extraaa show during the tournament will significantly bolster the viewing experience, offering fans valuable insights and perspectives.

On the inspiration of “Universe Ka Sabse Bada Football Festival of 2024” campaign

The “Universe Ka Sabse Bada Football Festival of 2024” campaign was inspired by our desire to celebrate the grand scale and universal appeal of UEFA Euro 2024 in a way that resonates deeply with Indian football fans. Football is growing rapidly in India, and we wanted to create a campaign that captures the excitement, passion, and festivity associated with this major tournament. Our goal was to not only highlight the tournament’s importance but also to engage a wider audience and bring the vibrant football community in India together in anticipation of the event.

Kartik Aaryan was a natural choice as the brand ambassador for this campaign. His immense popularity, charismatic personality, and genuine love for sports make him an ideal figure to connect with our target audience. Kartik’s appeal spans across different age groups and regions, making him the perfect spokesperson to convey the excitement of UEFA Euro 2024.

In the campaign, Kartik dons the avatar of an alien to symbolize the universal appeal and excitement surrounding the event, emphasizing that UEFA Euro 2024 is not just a football tournament but a global festival that transcends boundaries. His involvement adds a touch of entertainment and relatability, ensuring the campaign resonates with fans across the country.

On sharing more details about the marketing strategy behind this campaign

“Universe Ka Sabse Bada Football Festival of 2024” campaign aimed to maximize engagement, reach, and excitement for UEFA Euro 2024 among Indian football fans. Our strategy focused on tapping into various media channels, to create a ubiquitous presence, ensuring that the campaign reaches fans wherever they are. Recognizing India’s linguistic diversity, we are providing content in multiple regional languages, including advertisements, commentary, and interactive content in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Bengali, to resonate with a broader audience and make them feel included in the excitement.

Kartik Aaryan’s involvement as the brand ambassador is a crucial component of our strategy. His popularity and wide appeal make him an effective bridge to connect with our target demographic. Kartik posted the campaign look and video on his official X and Instagram accounts, which garnered over 127K engagements, highlighting the campaign’s wide reach and his influential presence. His portrayal of an alien in the campaign symbolizes the universal allure of UEFA Euro 2024, adding a fun and relatable element to the promotion. We have created a variety of engaging content, including new-look graphics, teaser videos, and campaign film, all designed to build anticipation and encourage fan participation.

We are also partnering with famous sports personalities to amplify the campaign’s reach, and create maximum buzz and engagement for UEFA Euro 2024, making it a grand celebration of football that resonates with fans across India.

On integration of original content and programming around UEFA EURO 2024 to keep the audience engaged beyond the live matches

With football being one of the most followed sports globally and rapidly growing in India, we’re committed to providing an immersive experience that goes beyond just the live matches. For UEFA EURO 2024, we’re ramping up our efforts to keep fans engaged beyond the live matches. We understand that football is not just about the games; it’s about the analysis, and discussions surrounding them.

The addition of football legend Patrice Evra to our esteemed panel for UEFA EURO 2024 will enrich the viewing experience for our audience. Alongside former India captains Sunil Chhetri and Bhaichung Bhutia, former India forward Robin Singh, India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and former international stars David James, Don Hutchison, Terry Phelan, Ashley Westwood and Mark Seagraves will provide in-depth analysis and insights, keeping fans engaged before, during, and after the matches.

On the key areas of growth SPNI is focusing on within sports broadcasting, particularly in relation to football

At Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), we are dedicated to enhance the sports broadcasting experience, particularly in football. Recently, we renewed our UEFA Club competition rights for the next four years, which includes broadcasting rights of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Europa Conference League. Additionally, we have the rights of the 2028 edition of the UEFA European Championship (EURO 2028), as well as the Bundesliga, the Russian Premier League (RSL), and the UEFA Nations League.

Our commitment to football broadcasting goes beyond securing rights. We are the pioneers in providing language feeds for football, ensuring that fans can enjoy the game in their preferred languages. “Football Extra” on Sony Sports Network has set a benchmark in football programming with its in-depth analysis and engaging content.

We are continuously exploring new ways to enhance the viewing experience. Our goal is to bring fans closer to the action and make football more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

On your personal excitement about UEFA EURO 2024 and Sony Sports Network’s role in bringing it to viewers

Football happens to be one of the most followed sports in the world and is also growing by leaps and bounds in India. For instance, how the EURO 2020 broadcast on Sony Sports Network captivated audiences across India with 61 million viewers tuning in to witness the thrilling matches. This demonstrates the immense affinity Indian audiences have for international football competitions. We understand the significance of this event for football enthusiasts in India and are committed to delivering an unmatched viewing experience.

We aim to provide viewers with an unforgettable experience to witness some of the world’s finest footballing talents competing on the grandest stage. It’s not just about the matches; it’s about the shared passion and joy that football brings to millions.

On the biggest challenges in sports broadcasting over the next few years

As a sports broadcaster, we haven’t faced any challenges in the industry, especially with major events like UEFA EURO 2024, but one particular challenge that stands out, particularly in India is cricket’s dominant viewership. Cricket holds a special place in the hearts of Indian sports fans, and its overwhelming popularity can sometimes overshadow other sports events.

However, at Sony Sports, we view this challenge as an opportunity to diversify and expand our offerings. We understand the importance of providing a multisport channel that caters to the diverse interests of Indian sports enthusiasts. By offering a wide variety of sports, including football, tennis, WWE, and more, we aim to appeal to a broader audience and elevate the profile of non-cricket sports in India.

Through strategic partnerships, innovative programming, and engaging content, we are committed to promoting a culture of sports beyond cricket.

July 8, 2024