MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), the official broadcaster of India’s tour to England, has announced its marketing and broadcasting initiatives ahead of the tour. Both the teams will play 3 T20Is, 3 ODIs and 5 Test matches from July 3 to September 11.
Over a period of two months, fans will get an opportunity to relive ‘Extraaa Innings’ as Sony will return with the live wraparound show with a brand new look. The show will also contain personality-driven segments for a healthy dose of entertainment and increased fan engagement to bring the Indian touch to the pre, post and mid-match analyses. It will contain expert insights from many big names such as Harsha Bhogle, Gaurav Kapur, Alan Wilkins, Sourav Ganguly, Sunil Gavaskar and Graeme Swann. Many of the panel members will take up commentary duty as well on television in either English or Hindi on the Sony Six and Sony Ten 3 channels respectively.
SPN also released its marketing campaign for the tour called ‘Kya Hoga Iss Baar’, which has been conceptualized and produced by Ginger Man Entertainment. The 40-second commercial has been inspired by the uncertainty that comes when India tours England whether it comes to the weather or results, which explains its title.
The film evokes varied emotions from fans as it showcases snapshots of them watching India play against England, while they are at a restaurant, working out at the gym and working in the kitchen or office. It ends with a cheeky line with reference to the incident during India’s famous NatWest trophy win when Ganguly waved his shirt from the balcony at Lord’s.
Rajesh Kaul, president, Distribution and Sports Business, SPN, said: “The Sports channels of SPN is the one-stop destination for all the cricket lovers with more than 200 days of cricket planned over the next 9 months. Our aim is to ensure an enhanced viewing experience for our audience with an expert panel of Indian legends who have played the game of cricket and a new unique look for our flagship live studio show, Extraaa Innings.”
