Mumbai: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has acquired the exclusive pay television & IPTV broadcast rights for the Lanka Premier League (LPL) India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan & Maldives and non-exclusive FTA rights for the same countries excluding Sri Lanka. The tournament will take place against the scenic Sri Lankan backdrop at the Mahinda Rajapaksha International Cricket Stadium from 26th November to 16th December 2020. SPN will telecast the series LIVE and Exclusive on SONY SIX Channels and will be livestreamed on its on-demand OTT platform SonyLIV in India.
Five franchisee teams, named after Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Dambulla and Jaffna, will compete via the round-robin format, featuring 23 matches over a 15-day period for the title. Colombo will take on Kandy in the opening match and the final will be played on 16th December 2020. A galaxy of global stars which includes Andre Russell, Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Amir, Angelo Mathews, Irfan Pathan and many more will be taking part in the 15-day extravaganza.
Legends like Wasim Akram, Zaheer Abbas, Moin Khan, Hashan Tilikaratne, Thilina Kandambi and many more will be seen in the roles of coach and mentors of the teams for the tournament.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has awarded the marketing and organizing rights of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) to Dubai-based globally renowned sports production company Innovative Production Group (IPG). The rights bagged include Team Franchise Rights, Team Ownership Rights, International Media rights, Ground Sponsorship Rights and AV Productions Rights.
Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer, Distribution and Head – Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India: “We share a long-standing relationship with the Sri Lanka Cricket board and as the rights holders of Sri Lanka Cricket, this is a natural extension. The Lanka Premier League is a good brand of cricket that is set to feature many sub-continent players making it a very attractive addition to our cricket portfolio. Sony Pictures Networks India is the premier destination for the best of international cricket and for us, it is not just about broadcasting an event but it’s about bringing people closer to the game. We are extremely happy to say that with Lanka Premier League we will be bringing that brand of cricket for our audience in India.”
Mr Ravin Wickramaratne, Sri Lanka Cricket VP & LPL Tournament Director: “Sri Lanka Cricket is excited to extend our partnership with Sony Pictures Networks India to feature the Lanka Premier League. Both nations share the love and enthusiasm for the game and we are positive that this tournament will keep fans at the edge of their seats. With Lanka Premier League, Sri Lanka Cricket is looking forward to continuing the long-standing relationship with Sony Pictures Networks India.”
Mr. Anil Mohan, CEO of IPG (Dubai-based promoters of LPL) “It gives me immense pleasure to welcome Sony as our broadcast partner of this prestigious event and I can confidently say that their association is a great testament to the brand LPL.”
Watch the Lanka Premier League 2020 Live and exclusive on SONY SIX Channels and live stream on SonyLIV, 26th November onwards from 3:30 PM
