In big news for cricket fans, Sony Pictures India network has decided to broadcast England matches in the subcontinent instead for the next five years. Previously England matches were shown live on Star Sports network.
Sony Network is showing live matches happening in Australia, South Africa, the UAE, Zimbabwe, West Indies. They have acquired the Indian rights to show the bumper season of India’s tour of England comprising of 3 T20I’s, 3 ODI’s and 5 test matches. The live matches and viewership of England matches can be seen live in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka also. Before India’s tour of England, Pakistan will tour England for a short tour. Sony is currently showing the test series between Australia and South Africa.
Tom Harrison, the ECB chief executive, said in an exclusive interview to ESPN Cricinfo “Today”s announcement means millions of cricket fans across the Indian subcontinent can follow their favorite team in action the next time they tour England – as well as enjoying access to iconic cricketing contests like next year”s Ashes. It will also help further raise the global profile of the English game – giving both the England men”s and women”s teams valuable exposure in a part of the world where people are passionate about cricket and avid followers of the global game as well as their own national team.”
From 2018 to 2022, Sony will show 80 international matches both men’s and women’s matches. Indian matches always attract crowds with top players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni and other Indian players.
We are delighted to be associated with @ECB_cricket to be their broadcast partner for next half of the decade. #INDvENG tour coming soon on SPN from this July. Our next acquisition will be even much bigger as we close in to the revolutionary bcci rights which is 21 days away 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/YgvKVel2Ur
— Sony ESPN (@sonyespn) March 5, 2018
India’s performance in the recently concluded South African tour was outstanding. The Indian team lost the first two test matches and then came back strongly to win the 3rd test. After that under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, the Indian team dominated the ODI Series winning it 5-1 and then won T20I series by 2-1.
Sony broadcasted full India’s tour of South Africa comprising of 3 tests, 6 ODI’s and 3 T20I’s. With upcoming India’s tour of England coming up, the viewership will go higher as the series will be competitive in all three formats.
