MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) India, in collaboration with ESPN, will launch co-branded channels – SONY ESPN and SONY ESPN HD on 17 January.
With this, SPN has expended the sports cluster to four channels – SONY ESPN, SONY ESPN HD, Sony Six and Sony Six HD.
The SONY ESPN channels will kick-off their sporting calendar with the live broadcast of the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open.
SPN said that the launch of these new channels represent the first steps in the innovative collaboration between SPN and ESPN to power unmatched content, across both, television and digital platforms.
SPN and ESPN had announced a long term agreement in October last year to launch channels besides a co-branded localised multisport website and app that will provide coverage of cricket, football, tennis, the NBA, badminton, field hockey and more.
SONY ESPN channels will benefit from both SPN’s existing portfolio of sports and content, plus ESPN’s leadership position in sports and more than 1000 hours of programming per year from its portfolio of sports rights, original programming sports documentaries and studio programmes.