Inaugural season of Premier Futsal on SPN

To be played between July 15 and July 24, all matches will be broadcast in English, Hindi and Bengali on Sony Six, Sony ESPN and Sony Aath

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Mumbai | May 30, 2016

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has acquired the exclusive rights to broadcast the inaugural season of Premier Futsal, the world's first-ever multi-national futsal league.

As part of the agreement, SPN will broadcast all Premier Futsal matches live and exclusive on Sony Six, Sony ESPN and Sony Aath channels in English, Hindi and Bengali feeds. Digital consumers will be able to livestream the matches on Sony Liv. The multi-city franchise-based league will be played across India from July 15 to July 24, 2016 and is set to revolutionise how the sport is played and consumed globally.

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 an iconic line up as the FIFA World Cup, UEFA EURO 2016 and Copa América Centenario, along with the recently ended FA Cup and La Liga.

NP Singh

NP 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.”

Dinesh Raj, Managing Director, Premier Futsal, said, “The broadcast agreement with SPN is a truly landmark moment for Premier Futsal in our relatively short history. Ever 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.”

Raj added, “The signing of a broadcast partner only adds further credibility to our vision as we draw closer to kicking-off the league. SPN has a good track record of building up domestic sports properties, the IPL being one such example. As a result, we are confident that with SPN's support Premier Futsal can reach similar heights and establish itself as among the most popular sports in India.”

Premier Futsal is a one-of-its-kind 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 four 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.

Futsal, an indoor five-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 epitomises the spirit and culture of today's youth. The play on-court is characterised by flair, flamboyance, skill and style - attributes that the youth can relate to.

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