Campaign India Team
Oct 08, 2015

MSM, ESPN forge partnership; Sony Kix to be Sony ESPN

To launch more sports channels, multi-sport website and app

MSM, ESPN forge partnership; Sony Kix to be Sony ESPN
Multi Screen Media (MSM) and ESPN have announced a 'long-term' agreement in India, marking the return of the sports broadcaster to Indian TV screens. 
 
The collaboration will see the launch of Sony ESPN sports channels and a new multi-sport website and app. To begin with, Sony Kix will be rebranded as Sony ESPN. Sony Six will continue to exist with its current brand name, as will ESPNcricinfo. 
 
Regulatory approvals on aspects of the collaboration are awaited, informed an official statement. 
 
NP Singh, CEO, MSM, said, "Our partnership with ESPN is just what the sports aficionado has been waiting for. Stylised, insightful sports content presented by the best sportscasters in the business. For consumers in India and the subcontinent, sports television viewing will change dramatically since they will soon have access not only to more content but also the widest array of sports lineup, ever available. MSM’s association with ESPN is holistic and embraces both television and digital formats. Not only are we about to set the frontiers in sports content and distribution but we will most likely set the trends as well. Going further, both companies will also explore collaboration on the development of other original sports programmes."
 
Russell Wolff, EVP and MD, ESPN International, said, "ESPN’s focus around the world is simple: to serve sports fans. This exciting, long-term collaboration between ESPN and MSM will serve Indian sports fans with exceptional products, content and coverage through the combined strengths and expertise of our two companies, which each have a strong heritage of leadership and innovation in India. We are very excited to be working with Sony, one of the leading television channels in India, on the opportunities that lie ahead."
 
MSM currently has the rights for the UEFA Euro 2016, La Liga, The English FA Cup and Serie A, the NBA, the NFL, the IRB Rugby World Cup, UFC, TNA Wrestling and NASCAR, among others.  
 
ESPN will add more than 1000 hours of programming per year from its portfolio of sports rights, original programming and studio programs, the statement added.
 
 
Source:
Campaign India

Follow us

Top news, insights and analysis every weekday

Sign up for Campaign Bulletins

Related Articles

Just Published

6 hours ago

Protean eGov’s campaign presents a human touch to ...

A digital-first campaign inspired by Pankaj Tripathi’s journey showcases Digital Public Infrastructure’s transformative impact on citizens’ lives.

7 hours ago

Silver economy reimagined: Breaking stereotypes in ...

Tapping senior citizens' digital fluency, independence, and evolving aspirations, marketers are leaning towards tailored campaigns that resonate with this demography.

8 hours ago

'The truth doesn't take sides': BBC’s global news chief

In an era where algorithms reward outrage and newsrooms rush to take sides, the business case for impartial journalism faces its toughest test yet. BBC's Jonathan Munro unpacks whether swimming against the tide still makes strategic sense.

12 hours ago

AI in design: A partner, not a replacement

AI in design empowers agencies with efficiency and innovation, redefining creativity as a collaborative endeavour, not a replacement, notes Bombay Design Centre's associate director.