ITV

Tag: Vijay Srinivasan

  • Lexus becomes automotive partner of Cognizant Major League Cricket

    Lexus becomes automotive partner of Cognizant Major League Cricket

    Mumbai: Cognizant Major League Cricket (MLC) is thrilled to announce that luxury automotive brand Lexus has become the automotive partner for the league’s highly anticipated second season.

    “We are excited to welcome Lexus as the Automotive Partner of Major League Cricket,” said MLC CEO Vijay Srinivasan. “Their reputation for unparalleled luxury and commitment to their customers aligns perfectly with our vision for the league. Together, we look forward to delivering an exceptional experience to cricket fans across the nation.”

    Under the new agreement, Lexus will be integrated into on-field and broadcast content throughout the season. The brand will also be featured in fan communications and MLC digital platforms. This is the first time Lexus and MLC have partnered together.

    “Partnering with Major League Cricket offers Lexus the opportunity to reach a new diverse fanbase with a brand that shares an unwavering commitment to performance, customer experience, and their fans,” said Lexus advertising & media head David Telfer. “We’re committed to growing with MLC during its second season to elevate the presence of the U.S. team and engage with new fans.”

    MLC kicks off its second season on Friday, 5 July. Tickets for all matches, including the four playoffs, are available online through the official cognizant Major League Cricket website. In addition to the world-class matches, fans have several ticket options to choose from, with general admission tickets starting at $30 per person. The season’s excitement extends beyond the pitch, with entertainment, fireworks, free giveaways, player signings and meet-and-greets, merchandise giveaways, food trucks, and samples throughout the tournament.

    Fans nationwide are encouraged to act fast and secure tickets at tickets.majorleaguecricket.com.
     

  • Major League Cricket raises $120 mn funding, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella among lead investors

    Major League Cricket raises $120 mn funding, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella among lead investors

    MUMBAI: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is the leading investor in the $44 million Series A and A1 fundraising round by New York-based Major League Cricket (MLC), a T20 competition featuring six franchises that have been sanctioned by USA Cricket. The league is targeted to launch next year.

    With an additional commitment of $76 million in further fundraising over the next 12 months in place, MLC plans to deploy more than $120 million to launch the country’s first-ever professional Twenty20 cricket league and herald a new era for the world’s second most popular sport in the US, according to a press statement issued by MLC on Wednesday.

    “The significant funding committed by an outstanding group of investors will allow Major League Cricket to build first-class facilities and accelerate the sport’s development across the country, bringing world-class professional cricket to the world’s largest sports market,” MLC co-founders Sameer Mehta and Vijay Srinivasan said in a joint statement.

    “This investor group comprises leading business executives and successful tech entrepreneurs who have led some of the world’s most prominent companies. They bring tremendous experience and expertise in support of MLC’s plans to launch a transformative Twenty20 league and establish America as one of the world’s leading homes for international cricket events,” it further added.

    The other investors for MLC include the likes of Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen, Madrona Venture Group managing director Soma Somasegar, founding partners at Milliways Ventures and Rocketship VC Anand Rajaraman and Venky Harinarayan, chairman of Infinite Computer Solutions Zyter Sanjay Govi and Perot Jain managing partner Anurag Jain, among others.

  • Willow TV acquires exclusive US media rights for IPL ’17

    MUMBAI: Willow TV, the primary broadcaster for cricket in North America, has acquired the exclusive media rights in the United States for the VIVO IPL 2017 Twenty20 tournament.

    The IPL (Indian Premier League) is the world’s leading professional cricket tournament, with record-breaking fan attendance and multimedia consumption. Willow previously broadcast the IPL in 2014, at the time setting cricket viewership records in the United States.

    “Willow is delighted to bring exclusive live coverage of the VIVO IPL 2017 to our viewers across television and digital platforms,” said Willow CEO Vijay Srinivasan. “Viewer interest for cricket in the US stands at unparalleled levels, as over 1.4 million households watched the ICC World Twenty20 on Willow in 2016. We look to continue to set new all-time high ratings this year. The IPL is the crown jewel of professional Twenty20 tournaments, and cricket fans in the US are in for a treat when the tournament kicks off on 5 April.”

    The 10th season of the VIVO IPL 2017 starts on 5 April with the defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad against last year’s runner up Royal Challengers Bangalore. The tournament features 60 matches, played over 47 days in multiple venues across India. Willow will provide live coverage of all 60 matches, culminating with the final on 21 May.

    Willow, which is part of Times Internet (India’s largest diversified digital group), is one of the fastest growing sports networks in the U.S, and the only channel that is dedicated solely to cricket. The channel, along with its “TV Everywhere” service, is distributed by the largest satellite, cable, IPTV and OTT platforms in a variety of subscription packages.

  • Times Internet acquires Willow TV International to live broadcast ICC World Twenty20 in the US

    Times Internet acquires Willow TV International to live broadcast ICC World Twenty20 in the US

    MUMBAI: Times Internet, the digital arm of The Times of India Group, has acquired Willow TV International. Expanding the ICC tournament’s reach beyond the traditional and expensive pay-per-view distribution method, Willow will provide an exclusive live US television broadcast and live stream of the ICC World Twenty20.

    This will be the first time an ICC tournament will be available on a US television broadcast channel.Willow TV is one of the leading cricket broadcasters in the US.

    Willow is the only channel that is dedicated to cricket in the US, with an aligned direct-to-consumer digital service.

    Times Internet director Satyan Gajwani says, “We are extremely pleased to welcome Willow to The Times Group. Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the world, and has the potential to become a major sport in the US. We are excited to expand and strengthen our offerings for South Asians living in the US and to grow interest in cricket across the US, both with loyal fans and new consumers”.

    The channel and its associated TV Everywhere service is widely distributed by the largest satellite, cable, IPTV and OTT platforms in a variety of subscription packages, including sports packs and South Asian targeted packages. 

    On the other hand, Cricbuzz will exclusively deliver pre-match, in-match, and post-match highlights and coverage of the entire tournament to its US based digital audiences.

    “As a bootstrapped company, we launched the Willow cricket channel just over 5 years ago, and we are extremely proud of where it has reached. With the backing of The Times of India Group and its assets, I am confident that we can jointly build one of the premier sports businesses in the US”, adds Willow TV founder and CEO Vijay Srinivasan.

    For Times Internet, Willow is complementary with its recent acquisition of Cricbuzz, the world’s largest online cricket destination. During the ICC World Cup 2015, Cricbuzz claims to have 1 billion visits in a span of 40 days with 96 percent available on mobile.

    Between Willow, Cricbuzz, and Times of India’s digital assets, the group estimates to reach about 15 million Americans with an interest in cricket. Willow is the first international acquisition by Times Internet, and the first US acquisition for The Times of India Group.

    The channel is available on 7 of the top 10 pay television platforms in the US, and also plans many more launches currently in the pipeline.

  • Times Internet acquires Willow TV International to live broadcast ICC World Twenty20 in the US

    Times Internet acquires Willow TV International to live broadcast ICC World Twenty20 in the US

    MUMBAI: Times Internet, the digital arm of The Times of India Group, has acquired Willow TV International. Expanding the ICC tournament’s reach beyond the traditional and expensive pay-per-view distribution method, Willow will provide an exclusive live US television broadcast and live stream of the ICC World Twenty20.

    This will be the first time an ICC tournament will be available on a US television broadcast channel.Willow TV is one of the leading cricket broadcasters in the US.

    Willow is the only channel that is dedicated to cricket in the US, with an aligned direct-to-consumer digital service.

    Times Internet director Satyan Gajwani says, “We are extremely pleased to welcome Willow to The Times Group. Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the world, and has the potential to become a major sport in the US. We are excited to expand and strengthen our offerings for South Asians living in the US and to grow interest in cricket across the US, both with loyal fans and new consumers”.

    The channel and its associated TV Everywhere service is widely distributed by the largest satellite, cable, IPTV and OTT platforms in a variety of subscription packages, including sports packs and South Asian targeted packages. 

    On the other hand, Cricbuzz will exclusively deliver pre-match, in-match, and post-match highlights and coverage of the entire tournament to its US based digital audiences.

    “As a bootstrapped company, we launched the Willow cricket channel just over 5 years ago, and we are extremely proud of where it has reached. With the backing of The Times of India Group and its assets, I am confident that we can jointly build one of the premier sports businesses in the US”, adds Willow TV founder and CEO Vijay Srinivasan.

    For Times Internet, Willow is complementary with its recent acquisition of Cricbuzz, the world’s largest online cricket destination. During the ICC World Cup 2015, Cricbuzz claims to have 1 billion visits in a span of 40 days with 96 percent available on mobile.

    Between Willow, Cricbuzz, and Times of India’s digital assets, the group estimates to reach about 15 million Americans with an interest in cricket. Willow is the first international acquisition by Times Internet, and the first US acquisition for The Times of India Group.

    The channel is available on 7 of the top 10 pay television platforms in the US, and also plans many more launches currently in the pipeline.

  • Preethi kitchen appliances renews agreement for Chennai Open

    Preethi kitchen appliances renews agreement for Chennai Open

    MUMBAI: Kitchen appliances brand Preethi Kitchen Appliances has signed a two-year agreement with Aircel Chennai Open 2012. Preethi Kitchen Appliances will come on board as the ‘Official Kitchen Appliances Partner‘ for the third consecutive year after making a debut in 2010. Following two years at India‘s only ATP World Tour event, Preethi Kitchen Appliances has extended their contract for 2012.

    This 2012 edition of the Aircel Chennai Open will be held from 2 – 8 January at the SDAT Stadium in Chennai. The tournament will see in action a line-up of Indian and International players including world number 9 Janko Tipsarevic, world number 10 Nicolas Almagro, Somdev Devvarman, Rohan Bopanna and Mahesh Bhupathi, among others.

    Preethi Kitchen Appliances MD Vijay Srinivasan said, “Preethi brand has always been proud to partner with the Aircel Chennai Open, at our home turf. An ultimate test of endurance and perseverance, Aircel Chennai Open, a world class tennis tournament has been the perfect occasion for showcasing Preethi‘s product ranges that are renowned for their performance, quality, reliability and safety.”

    A spokesperson from IMG Reliance said, “We are glad that Preethi Kitchen Appliances has decided to continue their association with Aircel Chennai Open, one of India‘s premier sports events. The Aircel Chennai Open which attracts thousands of visitors in attendance during each event, has over the past 17 years proven to be an ideal platform for corporate houses to target a diverse range of audiences. The successful conduct of the event is further illustrated by sponsors like Preethi Kitchen Appliances continuing their association.”