Sony Pictures Network (SPN), the Indian heavyweight pay-TV broadcaster, has secured exclusive television and digital rights to soccer’s European Championship (Euros) tournament in 2024 and 2028, as part of a six-year rights deal covering all UEFA national team competitions.
Along with the Euros, the deal includes rights to all UEFA Nations League and European qualifying matches, as well as friendlies scheduled between the 2022-23 to 2027-28 seasons.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The agreement covers India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, and matches will be shown across SPN’s linear channels, as well as on its over-the-top platform SonyLIV.
The deal was brokered by sports agency CAA Eleven, which is the exclusive sales agent for UEFA men’s national team rights.
UEFA’s director of marketing Guy-Laurent Epstein said: “We are very pleased to continue our partnership with Sony Sports Network as the home of UEFA national team football in the Indian subcontinent until 2028.
“Fans in the region will be offered extensive and excellent coverage of UEFA’s European national team football portfolio.”
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataSPN aired the last two editions of the Euros in 2016 and 2021 (delayed from 2020 due to Covid-19) in the region. After Euro 2020, SPN announced 61 million viewers tuned in to watch its coverage of the tournament.
The broadcaster also held rights to European qualifiers and the Nations League during the 2018-19 to 2021-22 cycle.
SPN also holds the rights in the Indian subcontinent to UEFA club competitions including the top-tier Champions League, secondary Europa League, and third-tier Europa League Conference, in a deal covering the 2021-22 to 2023-24 seasons.
Other soccer rights SPN holds include Germany’s top-tier Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal knockout competition, as well as England’s FA Cup and India’s Super Cup domestic knockout competitions.
Rajesh Kaul, chief revenue officer – distribution and international business and head – sports business, SPN India, said: “With the acquisition of exclusive television and digital rights in the Indian subcontinent, we’re excited to bring the tournament to viewers in multiple languages, ensuring that fans can experience the thrill of one of the biggest events in football.
“UEFA commands some of the most important football properties, and this association expands our football portfolio with an additional 1,300 football matches making us the premier destination for European football in India.”
UEFA’s Euro 2024 is due to run from June 14 to July 14 in Germany.
The UEFA 2023 Nations League finals, meanwhile, are due to take place from June 14 to 18. Netherlands will play Croatia in the first semi-final on June 14, while Spain will take on Italy in the second semi on June 15.
The third-place match will take place on June 18, before the final later in the evening.
