SPNI extends Champions League rights deal

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has renewed its broadcast rights deals with UEFA in a three year extension.

The broadcaster will continue to broadcast the Champions League, Europa League, Super Cup, Youth League and Conference League through to the end of the 2023/24 season. SPNI will carry 138 matches of the top-flight Champions League including the UEFA Super Cup, along with 141 Europa League and 141 Conference League matches. 

All matches will be live streamed on the SonyLiv OTT platform, while select matches will be broadcast on SPNI’s linear channels.

Rajesh Kaul, chief revenue officer of distribution and head of sports business at SPNI, said: “European club football is widely followed by fans across India. The steady rise of its viewership in India in the last few years is a testament to its fandom. Through this partnership, we will continue to cement our positioning as a global multi-sporting arena and the premier destination for the best of international club football.”

UEFA marketing director Guy-Laurent Epstein said: “Sony Pictures Networks India brings a wealth of experience to premium sports broadcasting and will continue to provide best-in-class coverage of the Uefa Club Competitions to football fans across the Indian subcontinent.”

In September, SPNI announced a deal to merge with Indian giant Zee Entertainment, but ongoing internal disputes at Zee could derail the deal.