MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt Ltd (SPN) has acquired the exclusive broadcast rights for marquee FIFA events in 2019 including the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019, the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019 and the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Paraguay 2019. All the prestigious tournaments will be broadcast on television and digitally within the Indian subcontinent on the sports channels of Sony Pictures Networks and its premium video on demand (VOD) service, SonyLIV.
Audiences can expect a full football calendar this year with the FIFA U-20 World Cup in May-June followed by the FIFA Women’s World Cup in June-July, the FIFA U-17 World Cup in September-October and the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in November. Additionally, the agreement with FIFA also gives Sony Pictures Networks the rights to broadcast FIFA’s archive content in the Indian subcontinent.
The deal continues the successful broadcasting partnership between Sony Pictures Networks and FIFA. The FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia both garnered unprecedented viewership and broke records for football viewership in India. The momentum started building up significantly with the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017, which rated better than any international football sporting event broadcasted in India with over 47mn viewers tuning in to the sports channels of SPN. The greatest show on the earth, the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia also broke viewership records with an unprecedented viewership of 177mn.
Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer, distribution and head – sports business Rajesh Kaul said, ““We remain committed to our objective of transforming the sports consumption landscape in India. We are thrilled to extend our partnership with FIFA and the addition of marquee tournaments like the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019, the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019 and the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Paraguay 2019 to our bouquet makes Sony Pictures Sports Network the premier destination for football. Fans can tune in to our channels to watch the best of global footballing legends and the rising stars, live in action.”
FIFA chief commercial officer Philippe Le Floc’h said, “We are delighted that fans in the Indian subcontinent will be able to follow the FIFA Women’s World Cup as well as our other events in 2019. This is the year to showcase women’s football and inspire more girls and young women to get involved in the sport. By working with such a trusted broadcasting partner as Sony Pictures Networks India, we are confident that we will be able to really show its appeal and build the football fan base in the region.”
With this latest acquisition, the network becomes the one-stop destination for fans to watch the best of international footballing action. SPN’s football portfolio at present also includes UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA EURO 2020, UEFA Nations League, Serie A, LaLiga and the FA Cup.
