ESPN and Sony Pictures Networks bring Turn and Bounce

In a world that is rapidly moving towards digital, be it content wise or otherwise, ESPN and Sony Pictures Network launched a new show called Turn and Bounce on Sony Six and Sony Six HD. The show that premiered on July 22 is a product of collaborative programming between Sony and ESPNcricinfo and extends ESPN’s digital offering to broadcast media.

Speaking about the show and the decision to extend to broadcast media Jasdeep Pannu, Head, ESPN India Television Initiatives, said, “It is true that the world is now different because of digital media but ultimately it is the content that counts and resonates with the consumers. ESPNcricinfo has been a favourite with cricket fans for many years and people respect the credibility, quality and the game coverage that we do. With this show we are extending that to the television platform and essentially this is an opportunity for us to reach out to new consumers and also cater to our consumers wherever they find it convenient in different formats. While the digital platform has its advantages, so does television. Typically television is where a lot of cricket fans consume content. So, we are looking at building a value proposition for consumers on that platform as well. Basically, we are leveraging all the Cricinfo expertise and producing a product that goes on television.”

Talking about the content of the show Pannu said, “ESPNcricinfo has some massive advantages that will make the show unique even on television. We have a network of global reporters and offices across the globe and they report on different aspects of the game and provide high quality coverage. We have editorial understanding of the game that is second to no one. All of these editorial insights, research insights and statistical insights, our presence across the world and relationship with experts – we are going to bring to bear all of these things into producing this show. We are going to look at producing certain segments which are entertaining and interesting for a linear half-an-hour show. The show is going to be designed in such a way that we are going to go through some of the top stories in the world of cricket and provide a big picture understanding over a week.”

TV anchor and comedian Cyrus Broacha will host the show along with Raunak Kapoor and Gaurav Kalra. Former cricketers like Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar and Deep Dasgupta among others will also be a part of the show as expert panellists, analysing and debating around the ongoing action from the field (India tour of Sri Lanka to start with). The show will also include highlights, top 10 moments of the week and ESPNcricinfo editorial insights to engage the fans.

“We have already been working with Cyrus on other initiatives and he has a fantastic understanding of sports but he also brings a certain amount of humour that is a part of his personality. In today’s world, the kind of TG that we are going after, which is young males who follow and enjoy cricket, they like humour. We want to reinvent how cricket shows are seen and bring out innovative, entertaining aspects of cricket on this show. Cyrus represents the fans’ perspective at some level but he also has a fantastic understanding of the game and also brings a dose of humour to the show,” said Pannu on their decision to bring Broacha on board as the host.

Despite having a co-branded channel – Sony ESPN – the show will air on Sony Six and Sony Six HD. Explaining the rationale behind it Pannu said, “It is true that as a part of our partnership with Sony we have a co-branded channel but we do not see our partnership restricted to that channel alone and this is proof that our partnership is deeper. Also, the cricket destination of the Sony sports network is Sony Six and because the show is on cricket it makes more sense to have it on Sony Six.”

The show went on air from July 22 at 10 pm and is available on Sony Liv and espn.in

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