Sony Pictures Networks bag Cricket Australia rights for 6 years

Sony Pictures Networks, who lost the lucrative Indian Premier League rights to competitors STAR India, have salvaged some ground by bagging the Cricket Australia rights

Sony Pictures Networks have salvaged some pride by bagging the Cricket Australia broadcast rights for the Indian sub-continent for the next six years.

Cricket Australia has sold its Indian sub-continent rights to Sony Pictures Networks. The Ashes, starting in November, will be the first big event on SPN. (PTI)

SPN, who suffered a massive jolt when they lost the high-value Indian Premier League rights to arch-rivals STAR India recently, will now have the high-voltage Ashes to showcase from November, 2017. SONY had broadcasted the IPL for a decade.

Apart from broadcasting the Ashes, SPN will have the rights to broadcast multiple Indian tours and visits by Pakistan, South Africa and the Ashes of 2021-22. Sony will also have the digital rights.

SPN has also acquired the media rights for women’s international cricket played in Australia, the Big Bash T20 League and the Women’s Big Bash League.

“Cricket Australia complements our existing portfolio of five international cricket Boards further positioning us as the premier destination for the sport,” said Rajesh Kaul, president, sports and distribution business, Sony Pictures Networks .

SPN already have a tie up with the cricket boards of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, West Indies, South Africa and Zimbabwe.