MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) Tuesday confirmed that it has extended its exclusive global media rights to broadcast Sri Lanka Cricket matches for the next four years until March 2027.
SportzPower had reported the development early last month.
Additionally, it bears noting that as per Sri Lankan media reports, $21,204,117 is what Sony has committed for the four-year rights tenure, which is a drop from the reported $22.5 million the network paid in 2020 for acquiring three-year rights for international cricket played in the Emerald Isles.
Pertinently, Disney Star also put in a bid – all of $10m – which basically left SLC with Sony as the only “serious” bidder.
With this deal, starting April, SPN can exclusively televise and livestream globally, the senior men’s cricket matches hosted by SLC during the term of the agreement, except in Sri Lanka where the broadcaster has only pay television rights.
The next five years will be exciting for cricket fans, as team Sri Lanka will take on the likes of India, Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, West Indies, Ireland, and Afghanistan on their home turf.
Starting on 16th April, Sony will showcase matches of The Lions, who will take on Ireland in a two-match Test series. Sri Lanka will then move on to finish its summer of cricket by hosting arch-rivals Pakistan in July.
Critical to the deal is two tours to the Emerald isles by the Men in Blue – in 2024 and 2026. After a two-year hiatus, Team India will play 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is against Sri Lanka in July 2024. Team India will return to Sri Lanka in August 2026 to play their first Test series (2 matches) in the country since 2017.
With the extension of the partnership with Sri Lanka Cricket, SPN will now have the broadcast rights of England and Wales Cricket Board and Pakistan Cricket Board.
Rajesh Kaul, chief revenue officer – Distribution & International Business and head – Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India, commented: “We are happy to extend our long-standing and successful partnership with Sri Lanka Cricket. The current Asian cricket champion, Sri Lanka, is a formidable team in the continent and the extended partnership with Sri Lanka Cricket will engage cricket fans across markets. We will continue our momentum to serve cricket fans with quality international cricket.”
SLC chief executive Ashley De Silva added: “We are extremely happy to continue our partnership with Sony Pictures Networks India, an international entity with a strong profile, and are confident that it will help us reach the desired global audience with the games played at home.”
Watch the LIVE coverage of Ireland tour of Sri Lanka – 1st & 2nd test on Sony Sports Ten 5 & Sony Sports Ten 2 channels from 16th & 24th April respectively at 10:00 am IST.
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