Sony secures rights for New Zealand Cricket home series
MUMBAI : After its merger plans with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd unravelled, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) is quietly taking steps to fortify its sports content offerings. In a strategic move, SPNI has secured exclusive rights to broadcast and stream all New Zealand Cricket (NZC) home series, featuring the men’s (Blackcaps) as well as women’s (White Ferns) matches, in India and associated territories for the next seven years.
The long-term agreement, which will be effective from 1 May 2024 to 30 April 2031, will cover broadcasting and digital-streaming rights for all bilateral ties in the island nation, including India’s tours of New Zealand during the 2026-27 and 2030-31 seasons. The deal also encompasses bilateral Test matches, One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) hosted in New Zealand throughout the contractual period.
After losing out at the auction for expensive properties like the Indian Premier League (IPL), International Cricket Council (ICC) and India bilateral rights (BCCI) to rivals Viacom18 and Disney Star, SPNI has been picking up properties to build an all-sport offering, at a steady pace. “It’s our constant endeavour to add marquee properties and we want to ensure we have a robust yet profitable sports business," said Rajesh Kaul, SPNI’s chief revenue officer-distribution & international business and head-sports business.
“We have added UEFA Euros, and now we have rights to one of the top four cricketing boards. For most Indians, NZ is the second-most favoured team." Recently, SPNI had renewed rights to UEFA EURO 2024, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Europa Conference League, UEFA Nations League, European Qualifiers, UEFA Youth League and
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