Sony picks up rights to Premier Futsal

SPN to broadcast all Premier Futsal matches live and exclusive on three channels, allow digital consumers to live stream matches on Sony LIV

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has acquired the exclusive broadcast rights for Premier Futsal, the first-ever multi-national futsal league, ahead of its inaugural season.

SPN will broadcast all Premier Futsal matches live and exclusive on Sony SIX, SONY ESPN and Sony AATH channels. Digital consumers will also be able to live stream the matches on Sony LIV. The multicity franchise-based league will be played across India from July 15 to July 24.

N P Singh, CEO, Sony Pictures Networks India said, “We are investing heavily in sports and building a strong sports entertainment portfolio. Besides cricket, basketball, tennis and fight sports, SPN’s comprehensive sports portfolio includes some of the best international football properties. With the introduction of Premier Futsal, we are bringing to our viewers a game of deft skills and international marquee talent. Premier Futsal will be highly action-packed and very entertaining.”

The acquisition of rights to broadcast Premier Futsal enhances SPN’s offering of football programming and bolsters the range of marquee tournaments broadcast on the network, adding Premier Futsal to the line-up that includes FIFA World Cup, UEFA EURO 2016 and Copa América Centenario.

Premier Futsal is a league which will bring the legends of football and futsal together for the first time. Led by the ‘Pele of Futsal’, Alessandro Rosa Vieira known as Falcão, the league will feature over 50 International Futsallers from 4 continents and 21 countries. Premier Futsal roped in the Real Madrid FC and Portuguese soccer legend Luis Figo as its President and the current Indian heartthrob Virat Kohli as the league ambassador.

Dinesh Raj, Managing Director, Premier Futsal said, “In the month and a bit since we unveiled the concept we’ve made a slew of significant announcements, from unveiling Luis Figo as President and Virat Kohli as League Ambassador to confirming futsal legend Alessandro Rosa Vieira ‘Falcao’s’ participation in the league. The signing of a broadcast partner only adds further credibility to our vision as we draw ever closer to kicking-off the league.”

Futsal, an indoor 5-a-side shorter variant of Soccer with two halves of 20 minutes each, is governed by Futsal Association of India (FAI) with accreditation from the international governing body, Asociación Mundial de Futsal (AMF). Futsal is an extremely fast-paced game, with non-stop end to end action. With the match being played under 40 minutes, it makes an entertaining sports property. It epitomizes the spirit and culture of today’s youth. The play on-court is characterized by flair, flamboyance, skill and style -- attributes that the youth can relate to.