Sony Bags Broadcast Media Rights Of Bundesliga

Bundesliga International, a subsidiary of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga, has signed a two-year contract with Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) to broadcast the Bundesliga in India and the Indian Subcontinent exclusively. India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Pakistan are among the countries that have signed the pact.

The agreement between Bundesliga International and Sony Pictures Networks, which has already begun and will last through the end of the 2022-23 season, assures that football fans in the region will be able to see their favourite German players like Thomas Muller, Manual Neuer, Marco Reus, Mats Hummels. SPN's linear sports channels and on-demand OTT platform, SonyLIV, will broadcast live Bundesliga action.

Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer, Distribution and Head – Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India, said, “We are excited about our successful acquisition of Bundesliga, which is a part of our ongoing strategy to be the premier destination for the best of International football. The Bundesliga is among the most popular club football leagues in the world and boasts of a strong fan following in India, making it a perfect addition to Sony Pictures Network’s portfolio of elite international events. We are looking forward to working with Bundesliga to serve our viewers in India and the Indian subcontinent with the best coverage of Germany’s leading football competition.”

“With this new deal, we are able to guarantee Bundesliga fans a place to watch their team every single Matchday. We are looking forward to working with Sony Pictures Networks India throughout India and the Indian Subcontinent to deliver all the twists and turns of the next Bundesliga seasons," added, Robert Klein, Chief Executive Officer, Bundesliga International.

Alongside the top names’ stars, the Bundesliga is renowned for creating opportunities for young players to succeed. In the summer, Indian teenager Shubho Paul was selected for FC Bayern München’s World Squad, a group of 15 under-19 players chosen from around the world to train with the German champions and play matches against its current U19 team.

In addition, the Bundesliga has brought a number of activations to India, with the goal of bringing German football to the local fans so that they have the opportunity to engage firsthand. This includes the Oktoberfest Experience in 2019, where FC Bayern München Legend Klaus Augenthaler joined fan groups in Mumbai for a “Klassiker Fan Match”. The season before, Bundesliga Legend Lothar Matthäus travelled to Kochi and Mumbai, visiting a football school and a FC Bayern fan club to meet and interact with supporters.