2 September 2016
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) announced on 31 August that SPN and its affiliates have entered into definitive agreements to acquire TEN Sports Network from Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEE) and its subsidiaries for 385 million U.S. dollars. Completion of the acquisition is subject to regulatory approval. The acquisition will add South Asia’s leading sports network to SPN’s existing portfolio of channels.
The TEN Sports channels being acquired include TEN 1, TEN 1 HD, TEN 2, TEN 3, TEN Golf HD, TEN Cricket, TEN Sports that operate in several countries including the Indian sub-continent, Maldives, Singapore, Hong Kong, Middle East, Caribbean.
TEN Sports holds broadcast rights to major cricket boards (South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe). In addition, Ten Sports holds rights to wrestling (WWE), football (UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, French League, English Football League Cup), tennis (WTA Events, ATP events), golf (European Tour, Asian Tour, Ryder Cup, US PGA Championship, LPGA Tour, Professional Golf Tour of India and Golf Channel Block), athletics (Asian Games, Commonwealth Games), motor sports (Moto GP) and cycling (Tour de France) events.
Long a television destination for sports fans, SPN sports properties include cricket (IPL, CPL, Ram Slam), football (FIFA 2018 World Cup Russia, UEFA Euro 2016, FIFA World Events including FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 in India, European and South American Qualifiers for FIFA WC 2018, FIFA Confederations Cup, LaLiga, Serie A, FA Cup, Copa America Centenario, International Champions Cup), tennis (Australian Open, ATP 1000 and 500 World Tour Events, Champions Tennis League), fight sports (TNA, UFC, Pro Wrestling League), basketball (NBA) as well as NFL and Premier Futsal.
Comments
NP Singh, CEO, Sony Pictures Networks India:
“I welcome TEN Sports to the Sony family. The acquisition of TEN Sports Network will strengthen SPN’s offering for viewers of cricket, football and fight sports, complementing our existing portfolio of international and domestic sporting properties. It also aptly demonstrates SPN’s commitment to providing a broad range of sporting entertainment to fans across India and the sub-continent.”
Andy Kaplan, President, Worldwide Networks, Sony Pictures Television:
“India has been a strong driver of Sony Pictures’ growing networks business for two decades, and sports continue to play a significant role in that growth. The acquisition of TEN Sports, following the launch of SONY ESPN channels, will mean that our Indian networks would reach over 800 million viewers and broadcast many of the most popular and prestigious sporting events in the world.”
Punit Goenka, Managing Director, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEE):
“This is a landmark deal for ZEE and a step towards a strategic portfolio shuffle as we grow our general entertainment business both in the domestic and overseas markets. While we have grown our sports business over the last 10 years through acquisition of content at competitive prices, our focus now is on transforming ourselves into an all-round media and content company, comprising of five verticals, viz. broadcast, digital, films, live events, and international business; and we continue to move rapidly towards our set business goals. While I have always been proud of our sports business, I strongly believe that Sony will add more value to it by taking it to even greater heights. I wish them all the success.”
(Source: Sony Pictures press release)
1 September 2016
Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat) will be at IBC-2016 in Amsterdam to showcase new services on its recently launched Badr-7 satellite which covers the Middle East and wide areas of Asia and Africa.
Arabsat CEO Eng./Khalid bin Ahmed Balkheyour said that Arabsat has recently signed a number of agreements with important and specialized satellite TV channels & networks to enhance Arabsat’s orbital position 26 ͦ degrees East.
(Source: Arabsat press release)
1 September 2016
MIRACLE BODY
Russia’s Golden Mermaids
Sep 24 Sat 15:10/ 21:10/ Sun 3:10/ 9:10 (UTC) <49 min.>
How far can athletes push the limits of their body? The question is central to this exclusive NHK documentary about Russian synchronized swimmers Natalia Ishchenko and Svetlana Romashina, who just won back-to-back Olympic golds in the duet competition. Using cutting-edge video technology and breathtaking imagery, scientists deliver an unprecedented analysis of the physiological factors behind the pair’s underwater prowess. The result is a spectacular exploration of the human body’s full potential.
(Source: NHK WORLD TV press release)
1 September 2016
Michael Peters, CEO of Euronews Group, has appointed François Schmitt as the group’s Chief Operating Officer, with a seat on the Executive Committee.
As part of its NEXT strategy, Euronews has set up a new department charged with the operational management of broadcast and digital products.
Michael Peters has handed this operational remit to François Schmitt, who now oversees a number of units. The experience he acquired at the Eurosport group as Technical Director (1995-2001), then as Deputy CEO in charge of products, TV and digital content (2001-2015), will contribute to the Euronews group’s successful development.
François Schmitt joined Euronews SA in February as a consultant to help design the NEXT project.
“We are now entering the operational design phase of our NEXT project. NEXT will revolutionise the organisation and workflows of our various media i.e Euronews and Africanews, with the aim of delivering the group’s digital transformation and revamping our editorial offering.
To support our editorial teams, I am assigning François Schmitt to head a new department that operationally manage our linear and digital products.
His sharp and cross-functional vision is an asset that will help us deploy our new organisation by leveraging the many talents of our teams.”
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“Being part of this defining adventure, which will shape the group’s future, is a fascinating challenge. The objective now is to organise the group’s digital transformation so that every product is fully aligned with users’ new modes of consuming news, wherever they are in the world.
The group-wide project for Euronews and Africanews is an ambitious one. And in a world where the media are wondering about their future, heading up the Operations Department is also an exciting stage in my career.” |
(Source: Euronews press release)
24 August 2016
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I), operator of the world’s first Globalized Network, powered by its leading satellite backbone, today announced the successful launch of the Intelsat 36 satellite. Intelsat 36 was launched from French Guiana aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle. Liftoff occurred at 6:16 p.m. EDT. The satellite separated from the rocket’s lower stage at 6:57 p.m. EDT, and the Intelsat launch team has confirmed signal acquisition.
Built for Intelsat by Space Systems/Loral (SSL), Intelsat 36 is designed to enhance Intelsat’s media neighborhoods serving Africa and the Indian Ocean regions. The Ku-band payload was built to support MultiChoice, the leading direct-to-home platform in South Africa. The C-band payload provides in-orbit resilience for Intelsat’s leading video content distribution neighborhood at 68.5° E. Intelsat 36 will be collocated with Intelsat 20.
“Intelsat 36 is a testament to our dedication to working closely with our customers in Africa to support critical growing infrastructure needs in the region,” said Stephen Spengler, Chief Executive Officer, Intelsat.
“Having consistent and affordable access to informative and entertaining content is vital to a community and its citizens. Intelsat 36 will enable MultiChoice to extend high definition channels throughout the region via one of Africa’s premier video neighborhoods. We are proud to once again partner with MultiChoice as they continue to deliver high quality and compelling educational and entertainment services to their customers throughout sub-Saharan Africa.”
Intelsat 36 is the 58th Intelsat satellite launched by Arianespace.
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