RE: MSM & ESPN collaborate in India; Sony Kix rebranded
Rebranding will require approval from MIB as this seems to be a JV like the one earlier between ESPN and STAR. So possibly 3-6 months before rebranding happens unless they have applied to MIB earlier and are making the announcement today.
Even new channel launches will take that much time as the August list of MIB don't show any new channel licenses for Sony. Let's see if anything changes in the September list to be out soon.
The 3 year non compete between ESPN and STAR ended in June 2015 so they are back in India.
Most improvement should be in the digital space as ESPN online has amazing stuff while Sony Liv is pathetic.
Good news for sports lovers as minimum we can expect 3 channels i.e. 2 HD and 1 sd from this JV now. They will require that before April next year when the ipl starts.
GOOD NEWS FOLKS...One of the best sport channel is returning to India as it ties up with msm
Multi Screen Media (MSM), which owns and operates television channels under Sony entertainment network, has tied up with global sports broadcaster ESPN, which will mark a comeback for the latter in the Indian subcontinent.
As per the agreement, the broadcasters will offer sports channels under the brand name Sony ESPN along with a multi-sport website and an app, which will provide coverage of cricket, football, tennis, NBA, badminton and hockey among others, MSM said in a statement.
In 2012, ESPN had exited India when Rupert Murdoch-led News Corp bought it out from their 50:50 joint venture ESPN Star Sports.
MSM's existing sports channel Sony KIX will be rebranded as SONY ESPN, and the two broadcasters will launch other new channels in the coming months. Along with SONY SIX, all the channels will deliver a sports lineup to fans, it added.