MUMBAI: In another major breakthrough, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has acquired exclusive media rights from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the Indian subcontinent for a five-year term. Millions of cricket fans across India now can watch men’s and women’s international matches, including Test matches, T20 Internationals and ODIs, played in England, the native origin of the sport.
The new deal allows SPN to both televise and digitally broadcast a bunch of international matches played in the territory of ECB within the Indian subcontinent. Five Test matches, three ODIs and three T20 Internationals of upcoming India cricket tour of England will also be broadcast live.
“The acquisition of the media rights of ECB for a five-year term, effective now through 2022, provides for some exciting cricket viewership. Cricket is a passion for most Indians and this term of ECB games includes three tours of the Indian cricket team which promises some thrilling cricket, the first of these coming close on the heels of the hugely exciting South Africa series. SPN will now be home to almost all international away series giving our fans a one-stop destination to view their favourite stars in action,” SPN managing director and CEO NP Singh said.
“Today’s announcement means millions of cricket fans across the Indian subcontinent can follow their favourite team in action the next time they tour England – as well as enjoying access to iconic cricketing contests like next year’s Ashes,” ECB CEO Tom Harrison added.
“It will also help further raise the global profile of the English game–giving both the England men’s and women’s teams valuable exposure in a part of the world where people are passionate about cricket and avid followers of the global game as well as their own national team.”
With this acquisition, SPN’s exclusive cricket portfolio includes most of the major international cricket boards, namely, Cricket Australia, ECB, Pakistan Cricket Board, Sri Lanka Cricket, Cricket South Africa, Cricket West Indies and Zimbabwe Cricket Board.
Earlier SPN acquired the exclusive media rights for all men’s international matches played in Australia as well as well as women’s international cricket played in the country. It even acquired the media rights of the newly introduced T10 Cricket League last year.
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