Cricket Business – Sony Sports signs 5th Cricket Board: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has signed a three-year deal with Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) to show all of Pakistan’s home international games and also the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The deal with PCB means now SPN has 5 cricket boards in its portfolio.
“Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has acquired the broadcast rights of the Pakistan Cricket Board for a tenure of three years. SPN will air all of Pakistan’s home international games along with the Pakistan Super League. With the acquisition of PCB rights, Sony Pictures Networks India has broadcast rights to a total of five international cricket boards,” said Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer, Distribution and Head – Sports Business, Sony Pictures Network India.
Sony’s Cricket Portfolio
– Pakistan Cricket Board
– England & Wales Cricket Board
– Cricket Sri Lanka
– Cricket Australia
– Cricket Ireland
Sony during the last 12 months has lost Cricket South Africa to Star Sports but has renewed deals with SLC and PCB. Cricket West Indies another board in Sony’s portfolio till March last year is also in the market since last 10 months for renewals.
Other than this Sony also has acquired rights of recently launched properties like Lanka Premier League, Abu Dhabi T10 and few others.
Star Sports Cricket Portfolio
– Board of Cricket Control of India
– Cricket South Africa
– International Cricket Council
– IPL Rights
Amazon new entrant
– New Zealand Cricket
FanCode
– Smaller cricket boards
– Individual Series
Rights still unsold
– Bangladesh Cricket Board
– Cricket West Indies
– Afghanistan Cricket Board
Sony to also broadcast Pakistan Super League: Other than the rights of PCB home games, SPN this time has also acquired the rights of PSL. The upcoming edition of the PSL is scheduled to get underway on February 20, 2021, with the match between Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators. PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said through this deal the South Asian fans will be able to follow Pakistan cricket closely.
“The PCB welcomes Sony Pictures Networks India to its list of elite broadcasters who will have rights to Pakistan’s bilateral series and PSL 2021-23. Through this partnership, cricket fans in South Asia will be able to follow and enjoy high-quality cricket action in Pakistan across all formats featuring some of the finest modern-day stars,” he said in a statement.
Earlier, PTV Sports and SuperSport had acquired Pakistan and Africa region’s media rights for Pakistan cricket, respectively last year. PCB had signed partnerships in North America, the Caribbean, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
As such, fans and supporters of Pakistan cricket will now be able to follow Babar Azam and his side as well as the PSL in North America through Willow TV, in the Caribbean through Flow Sports, in the United Kingdom through Sky Sports, and in New Zealand through Sky NZ.