LONDON: Sun TV Network has struck a six to the boundary with a bold £100.5 million acquisition of Northern Superchargers, a prominent franchise in the UK’s The Hundred cricket league. The all-cash deal, approved by Sun TV’s board on 18 July, makes the broadcaster the sole owner of the Leeds-based team and further cements its global sporting ambitions.
The move sees Sun TV add a third franchise to its growing sports roster, which already includes Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and Sunrisers Eastern Cape in South Africa’s SA20. With cricket’s commercial appeal soaring across continents, the company is betting big on the format’s future in the UK.
Northern Superchargers, incorporated in 2019 and based in London, clocked a turnover of £1.89 million in FY24 and will become a wholly owned subsidiary once the transaction is completed, expected by the end of 2025. The acquisition is routed through India’s automatic route for overseas investment, with the final remittance pegged to prevailing exchange rates.
Sun TV said the deal aligns with its strategy of tapping global cricket leagues with strong broadcast and sponsorship potential. “The Hundred has shown strong traction with younger audiences and we see significant upside in long-term value creation,” said the broadcaster in its filing.
This acquisition marks a rare Indian media foray into English cricket—an arena traditionally dominated by homegrown stakeholders and legacy institutions. With this move, Sun TV is not just buying into a team, but into a format and fanbase with serious commercial legs.
MUMBAI: It’s in crackling, explosive form. Betway SA20 has kicked off its third season with a record-breaking opening match viewership, surpassing previous records and solidifying its position as a major force in South African cricket.
The opening match between Sunrisers Eastern Cape and MI Cape Town drew a record 382,778 live unique viewers on SuperSport, a 129 per cent increase from Season 2. This makes it the second-highest recorded live opening viewership number on SuperSport this summer, behind the T20 series between the Proteas and India.
Additionally, the opening week saw record attendance numbers, with four sold-out matches and an 79 per cent attendance rate across six matches. The fans have enthusiastically embraced the cricket and entertainment experience, setting the stage for a successful tournament.
League commissioner Graeme Smith attributed the success to the collective efforts of the franchises, SuperSport, and the fans, saying, “We’ve worked hard to establish the league as a property that appeals to viewers at home and those who come to the stadium. These numbers give us the confidence that we’re on the right track to building on a strong foundation. The league has come to be recognised as amongst the best in the world after the IPL. Most people did not give us a chance of succeeding.”
Nielsen Sports SA managing director Tumelo Selikane added, “We’re thrilled with the response to the Betway SA20 league. The strong viewership numbers are a testament to the league’s growing popularity and the exceptional work of SuperSport and the League.”
Betway SA20’s success has also attracted new sponsors, further solidifying its commercial value and appeal. As the tournament progresses, the league is poised for continued success, with strong viewership numbers and growing commercial appeal.
MUMBAI: Kotak Mahindra Bank has launched its 811 campaign – #IndiaInvited. The campaign features Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh along with people from all walks of life, across age, gender, profession, religion, physical appearance, including an acid attack survivor, among others.
Collaborative efforts over the years by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Government’s Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) and banks have immensely contributed in improving financial inclusion in every nook and corner of the country. However, even today, only around 2 per cent of Indians own a mobile money account, as per the World Bank, leading to low engagement with the formal financial ecosystem. The need of the hour is to bring about a change in mindset to make banking digitally inclusive, so that banking services are made accessible to every Indian.
811 is an anywhere, anytime digital bank account and much more. It is a one-of-its-kind truly inclusive account. The only requirement for opening an 811 digital bank account is being an Indian, which is the underlying message of the #IndiaInvited campaign.
The 811 campaign is shot at the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a UNESCO world heritage site located at Fort, Mumbai, to capture real life nuances. The protagonist of the story is ‘the bench at the railway station’ and Ranveer Singh dons the role of the bard (Sutradhar). The story voices similarities between 811 and a bench at a railway station. Anyone and everyone – irrespective of caste, creed, religion and abilities, are welcome to rest and take a breather at any bench at any railway station in India. Similarly, 811 offers unconditional access to a full-service, zero-balance digital bank account which gives up to 6 per cent p.a interest to every Indian.
Kotak Mahindra Group chief marketing officer Karthi Marshan says, “ With 811, we simplified banking in India and in a year since launch, 811 has been embraced by Indians. In our endeavour to make banking more accessible and widespread, we realised that people from different walks of life tend to get intimidated to walk into a branch for the fear of being judged. The #IndiaInvited campaign builds on this insight, and draws attention to how 811, just like a bench at the railway station, does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of personal or physical characteristics.”
Kotak Mahindra Bank executive vice president of marketing Elizabeth Venkataraman mentions, “Inclusion is not only the right thing to do, it is also necessary for a country as diverse as India. Digital is a great equaliser, especially in banking, providing equal access to everyone. And 811 represents those very qualities of equality and inclusiveness. 811 is truly for everyone.”
“We wanted someone who embodies the spirit of individuality and success while being comfortable in their own skin to be the face of the campaign. And who better to lead the campaign than Ranveer Singh, an actor who has made a mark with his unique and unconventional style and appearance, someone who has succeeded in Bollywood on his own terms”, adds Marshan.
The campaign will be amplified across all platforms including TV, print, outdoor, digital and through on-ground engagements across the country.
