Reliance Viacom Sports Channel – Sports-18 Launch: Reliance is readying its commercial launch of sports channel on April 15 in the midst of IPL 2022. As per the patent filing, the channel has been named Sports18. It will be a part of Reliance’s Network18 group which is the majority shareholder of Viacom that recently acquired FIFA World Cup broadcasting rights – Follow all Sports News LIVE Updates with InsideSport.IN
The JV of Reliance & Viacom in last 12 months have acquired media rights of LaLiga, FIFA World Cup 2022, Serie A and French Ligue 1.
Currently, Viacom’s OTA platform Voot and VH1 live telecast the matches. Now, it will also move to Sports18. The platform also recently acquired Badminton World Federation Rights.
Some of the DTH providers have also come out with the PACKAGE RATES for the channel. InsideSport could not independently verify the reports.
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Reliance Viacom Sports Channel: New sports channel to be launched in April, will be called SPORTS 18
Sports-18 Launch: As per reports, the channel will go live on all major DTH and cable providers on April 15 with Sports18 1, Sports18 1 HD, Sports18 2, Sports18 2 HD besides Hindi channel Khel18. The market which had become a duopoly between Star and Sony will now be a three-horse race.
Reliance Viacom Sports Channel: New sports channel to be launched in April, will be called SPORTS 18
📡 Sports18 1 & Sports18 1 HD priced at ₹8 to go live on April 15, 2022.
The premium sports channel will be available on all DTH & Cable TV.
🔸 Sports18 Khel (Hindi) will be available as free-to-air channel at a later date. #IPL #IPLAuction2022 #Sports18 #Reliance #Jio pic.twitter.com/aU9cSd3wm9
— Praveen Kumar (@StoriesWithPK) March 17, 2022
The pricing of the channels is also out on some of the DTH providers although InsideSport could not independently verify the reports. The channels will be listed at Rs 8 each while the Hindi version will be a free-to-air channel on a later date.
Reliance Viacom Sports Channel: New sports channel to be launched in April, will be called SPORTS 18
Reliance Viacom Sports Channel: New sports channel to be launched in April, will be called SPORTS 18
With the launch of the channel, Reliance backed Viacom is also expected to throw their hats in IPL Media Rights. The BCCI has been stalling the tender for some time now after announcing that it will be floated on October 25, 2021.
Reliance Viacom Sports Channel: Viacom Sports Properties:
- La Liga (Spanish Football League)
- Ligue 1 (French Football League)
- FIFA World Cup 2022
- Abu Dhabi T10 League
- Serie A (Italian Football League)
- NBA (National Basketball League, USA)
- BWF World Tour (Badminton)
- ATP World Tour (Tennis)
- Carabao Cup (English Football League Cup)
- Road Safety World Series (Legends cricket)
Reliance Viacom Sports Channel: New sports channel to be launched in April, will be called SPORTS 18
The NBA and Viacom18 announce a multiyear broadcast and streaming partnership in India. 🏀 x 📺
You can now watch NBA games live on @MTVIndia, @Vh1India, @justvoot, and @OfficialJioTV#NBA75 #NBAonMTV #NBAonVoot #NBAonVh1 #NBAonJioTV pic.twitter.com/c3WCjsWukW
— NBAIndia (@NBAIndia) December 3, 2021
Reliance Viacom Sports Channel: New sports channel to be launched in April, will be called SPORTS 18
To facilitate Reliance’s big venture, Viacom hired Anil Jayaraj as the CEO. Jayaraj was Star Sports’ EVP Ad Sales for nearly seven years.
Reliance Viacom Sports Channel: Reliance interests in Sports:
- Reliance has emerged as one of the key player in the Indian Sports industry via its on-ground, marketing, sporting IP’s initiatives –
- Reliance owns IPL team Mumbai Indians
- Reliance owned entity owns Indian Super League (ISL)
- Reliance also had a Joint Venture in India with Global Sports Marketing giants IMG. The entity is now 100% owned by the Indian promoters and is called RISE
- Reliance promoted – Reliance JIO has weaved in partnerships with various sports rights including BCCI Rights to be streamed on their platform.
- Reliance Jio also had placed direct bids for both IPL Rights & BCCI digital rights in past.
Reliance Viacom Sports Channel: New sports channel to be launched in April, will be called SPORTS 18
