MUMBAI: Beginning with Sri Lanka, Big CBS Networks, a joint venture (JV) of Reliance Broadcast Network Limited and CBS Studios International, plans to expand its reach into the SAARC region.

The company has put on offer three of its channels -- Big CBS Prime, Big CBS Love and Big CBS Spark -- in Sri Lanka. The network will also evaluate the possibility of dubbing the content in local languages in the future.

Initially, the channels will be distributed with the biggest cable operator, Lanka Broadband Network. Later, the Network has plans to launch across the entire SAARC region comprising Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan and Afghanistan across all platforms.

According to Big CBS, the channels are being launched on a fixed licensee fee model and will ensure regular and streamlined revenue from the market, which will add to the bottom line of the JV.

With limited English entertainment options, the Big CBS channels have been designed to target Sri Lanka?s fast-growing, upwardly mobile population. Targeting the 15+ English speaking audiences, the channels will be available in Sri Lanka across cable platforms and key hotels.

The CBS content to be offered by the channels include hits such as Hawaii Five-0, America?s Next Top Model, NCIS, Survivor, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, 90210, Frasier, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Oprah Winfrey Show and Entertainment Tonight.

Big CBS Networks business head Vishal Rally said, ?This is a natural extension to make accessible the superlative content library of BIG CBS to audiences in the international markets."

MUMBAI: The nascent Elite Football League of India (EFLI), the first professional American sports football league in India, got a major fillip with the announcement that former National Football League quarterback Kurt Warner and American actor and producer Mark Wahlberg have picked up stake in the venture.

Ten Sports has inked an MoU with EFLI, which is slowly and steadily building the property.

The financial details of the stake acquisition price could not be ascertained. Earlier, former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka and ESPN NFL analyst Ron Jaworski had invested in the league.
 
Warner, who works with under-privileged kids through his charity First Things First, has earmarked $50,000 out of his total investment for the purchase and distribution of Warner Family footballs to schools and the underprivileged throughout India.

Considered one of the best undrafted players of all time following a 12-year career, Warner first attained stardom while playing for the St. Louis Rams from 1998-2003, where he won two NFL MVP awards in 1999 and 2001 as well as the Super Bowl MVP award in Super Bowl XXXIV.

?I am extremely excited about the possibilities of the EFLI,? says Warner. ?I became a partner for two primary reasons. First, to expand the reach of what I believe is the greatest team sport in the world. The game of football has a chance to impact the lives of many people and families in India, like it did for mine. Second, I believe the success of EFLI will present us with some amazing opportunities to impact their communities from a charitable perspective. I believe we will be able to use the great game of football to truly impact the people of India, both on and off the field, and help many to improve on their quality of life."

Wahlberg, also known as Marky Mark in his earlier years, has committed to endorse and enhance the EFLI brand and mission through media and personal introduction and support.

"The thought of owning part of the Indian Football League was, at first, intriguing. When I learned of the premise and passion behind the foundation, there was no question that I would commit to the cause,? says Wahlberg. ?The EFLI is changing the lives of countless numbers of India?s poor and underprivileged. I anxiously look forward to the inaugural 2012 season. I hope to bring my family to India for the opening game and to witness this miracle that is the EFLI.?

EFLI had earlier roped in Schutt Sports, the world?s leading maker of football helmets and faceguards, as kits supplier for the league. As part of the agreement, Schutt has committed to supply 2,000 helmets, 2,300 face guards, 2,000 shoulders pads and additional accessories and equipment worth $1 million to the EFLI teams.

EFLI is the first men?s professional American football league in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It is South Asia?s first professional American football league. The government of India and the Sports Authority of India have backed the league?s launch.

Founded in mid-2011, the organisation?s management team consists of American and Indian business and entertainment executives as well as several American sports figures.

MUMBAI: Soccer?s governing body Fifa has secured TV rights deals worth $1.85 billion for the period 2015-2022.

Fifa has awarded the sales representation for selected territories in Asia to Infront Sports and Media following an
international tender process. The territories comprise India,
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China PR, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macau, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

The rights for the 2015 to 2022 period include the 2018 Fifa World Cup Russia and the 2022 Fifa World Cup Qatar, the Fifa Women?s World Cup Canada 2015 and the Fifa Women?s World Cup 2019, as well as other Fifa events.

Fifa?s executive committee has decided on further sales and
distribution of media rights for the same period in the following territories:

? Australia -- extending with SBS

? Canada -- rights awarded to Bell Media (CTV/TSN/RDS)

? Caribbean -- extending with IMC (SportsMax)

Fifa secretary general J?r?me Valcke said, ?Fifa is delighted with the progress of our media rights sales to date which, coming amid austere economic times, more than confirm the strength and appeal of our competitions."