RE: Era of Big Two in sports broadcasting as Sony is set to swallow ZEEL-owned Ten Sports
Official press release:
SONY PICTURES TO ACQUIRE TEN SPORTS FROM ZEE
Press Release
Mumbai, August 31, 2016
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) today announced that SPN and its affiliates have entered into
definitive agreements to acquire TEN Sports Network from Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEE)
and its subsidiaries for 385 million U.S. dollars. Completion of the acquisition is subject to regulatory
approval. The acquisition will add South Asia's leading sports network to SPN’s existing portfolio of channels.
The TEN Sports channels being acquired include TEN 1, TEN 1 HD, TEN 2, TEN 3, TEN Golf HD, TEN Cricket,
TEN Sports that operate in several countries including the Indian sub-continent, Maldives, Singapore, Hong
Kong, Middle East, Caribbean.
TEN Sports holds broadcast rights to major cricket boards (South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and
Zimbabwe). In addition, Ten Sports holds rights to wrestling (WWE), football (UEFA Champions League,
UEFA Europa League, French League, English Football League Cup), tennis (WTA Events, ATP events), golf
(European Tour, Asian Tour, Ryder Cup, US PGA Championship, LPGA Tour, Professional Golf Tour of India
and Golf Channel Block), athletics (Asian Games, Commonwealth Games), motor sports (Moto GP) and cycling
(Tour de France) events.
Long a television destination for sports fans, SPN sports properties include cricket (IPL, CPL, Ram Slam),
football (FIFA 2018 World Cup Russia, UEFA Euro 2016, FIFA World Events including FIFA U-17 World Cup
2017 in India, European and South American Qualifiers for FIFA WC 2018, FIFA Confederations Cup, LaLiga,
Serie A, FA Cup, Copa America Centenario, International Champions Cup), tennis (Australian Open, ATP 1000
and 500 World Tour Events, Champions Tennis League), fight sports (TNA, UFC, Pro Wrestling League),
basketball (NBA) as well as NFL and Premier Futsal.
Comments
NP Singh, CEO, Sony Pictures Networks India:
“I welcome TEN Sports to the Sony family. The acquisition of TEN Sports Network will strengthen SPN’s
offering for viewers of cricket, football and fight sports, complementing our existing portfolio of
international and domestic sporting properties. It also aptly demonstrates SPN’s commitment to
providing a broad range of sporting entertainment to fans across India and the sub-continent.”
Andy Kaplan, President, Worldwide Networks, Sony Pictures Television:
“India has been a strong driver of Sony Pictures’ growing networks business for two decades, and sports
continue to play a significant role in that growth. The acquisition of TEN Sports, following the launch of
SONY ESPN channels, will mean that our Indian networks would reach over 800 million viewers and
broadcast many of the most popular and prestigious sporting events in the world.”
Punit Goenka, Managing Director, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEE):
“This is a landmark deal for ZEE and a step towards a strategic portfolio shuffle as we grow our general
entertainment business both in the domestic and overseas markets. While we have grown our sports
business over the last 10 years through acquisition of content at competitive prices, our focus now is on
transforming ourselves into an all-round media and content company, comprising of five verticals, viz.
broadcast, digital, films, live events, and international business; and we continue to move rapidly
towards our set business goals. While I have always been proud of our sports business, I strongly believe
that Sony will add more value to it by taking it to even greater heights. I wish them all the success.”
About Sony Pictures Networks India
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) (formerly Multi Screen Media Private Ltd.), is a subsidiary of Sony
Pictures Entertainment, which owns and operates the Sony Entertainment network of television channels.
As a leading television network in India, SPN comprises Sony Entertainment Television (SET), one of India's
leading Hindi general entertainment television channels; MAX, India's premium Hindi movies and special
events channel; MAX 2, a second Hindi movie channel showcasing great Indian Cinema; SAB, a family comedy
entertainment channel; PIX, the English movie channel; AXN, the leader amongst English Entertainment
Channels; AATH, the Bangla movie channel; MIX, a refreshing Hindi music channel; SIX, a sports channel ;
SONY ESPN, the group of sports entertainment channels; LIV, the Digital Entertainment Channel; and SPN’s
Motion Pictures division, formerly MSM Motion Pictures.
Sony Pictures Networks India is in its 21st year in India.
About Sony Pictures Television Networks
Sony Pictures Television Networks operates branded entertainment channels reaching over one billion
households around the world. Based in Culver City, Budapest, London, Madrid, Miami, Milan, Moscow,
Mumbai, Munich, Singapore and Tokyo, Sony’s linear and digital networks offer high-quality film and
television content from Sony Pictures and third parties, as well as original content commissioned globally and
locally. Sony Pictures Television Networks is a division of Sony Pictures Television Inc., a Sony Pictures
Entertainment company.
About Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEE)
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited is one of India’s leading television media and entertainment
companies. It is amongst the largest producers and aggregators of Hindi programming in the world, with an
extensive library housing over 222,000 hours of television content. With rights to more than 3,818 movie
titles from foremost studios and of iconic film stars, ZEE houses the world’s largest Hindi film library.
Through its strong presence worldwide, ZEE entertains over 1 billion viewers across 171 countries.
Media Contacts
Humsa Dhir, SVP & Head, PR & Corp Communications, SPN; +91 22 6701171,
[email protected]
Jayshree Kumar, DVP, Corporate Communications, ZEE; +91 22 71061367,
[email protected]
Robert Lawson, Corporate Communications, SPE (USA); +1 310.244.4020;
[email protected]
Zee Television Corporate Website: Company News, Financial Results
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