Sony Pictures Networks acquires broadcast rights for Lanka Premier League

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has returned as a broadcast partner for the second edition of Lanka Premier League (LPL). The network has signed an agreement with the official franchise and broadcast holder of LPL – the IPG Group. The agreement between Sony Pictures Networks India and the IPG Group includes the television and digital transmission of the LPL, which is set to be played between December 5, 2021 to December 23, 2021. All Lanka Premier League matches will be telecast live between SONY SIX & SONY TEN 2 channels and will be livestreamed on its on-demand OTT platform SonyLIV.

“The appetite for cricket in India is huge and our aim is to bring the best of international cricketing action to our fans in India. With the onboarding of Lanka Premier League, we want to provide our viewers with some high-energy T20 cricket throughout December. Sri Lankan Cricket has always produced many world class players and the inclusion of top international cricketers like Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Faf du Plessis among others is contributing to the growth and popularity of Lanka Premier League in the subcontinent. As the league gathers more fans, we want to make sure that no one misses the best of T20 cricket in India on our sports channels,” said Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer, Distribution and Head – Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India.

The Lanka Premier League will witness a host of cricketing stars such as West Indies legend Chris Gayle, former India fast bowler Irfan Pathan, former Pakistan Captain Shahid Afridi and former South Africa Captain Faf du Plessis in action. The competition will also see Sri Lanka T20 stars such as Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga showing their mettle. Asalanka scored 231 runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, while Hasaranga picked up 16 wickets in the tournament.

“We are ecstatic to welcome Sony Pictures Network as a broadcast partner to the Lanka Premier League once again. Sony Pictures Networks has always been at the forefront of sports broadcasting in India and takes sports to every corner of India. We are confident that Sony will achieve an even higher reach in terms of audience in the upcoming season and we look forward to a long and fruitful association,” said Anil Mohan, Founder and CEO of Dubai-based production giant IPG, the official promoter of LPL.

The inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) was played in a bio-secure bubble at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota from November 26 till December 16, 2020.

Softlogic Holdings to take ownership of Colombo Franchise for LPL 2021

The Lanka Premier League (LPL) Colombo franchise has a new owner as Founder and Chairman of Softlogic Holdings PLC, Ashok Pathirage enters the second season of the premier T20 tournament of the Island Nation, by acquiring the Colombo-based franchise in the tournament. The Colombo franchise will witness explosive players who will set the stage alight for their side in the upcoming LPL, which begins on 05 December 2021. Softlogic Holdings PLC is one of Sri Lanka’s leading diversified conglomerates.