The media rights to the Lanka Premier League have been awarded to Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) for the second time (LPL).
The network has reached an agreement with the IPG Group, the official franchise and broadcast holder of LPL, to return as a broadcast partner for the second edition.
The agreement between Sony Pictures Networks India and the IPG Group covers the LPL’s television and digital broadcasts, which will take place from December 5 to December 23.
Matches from the Sri Lanka Premier League will be broadcast live on the Sony Six and Sony Ten 2 channels, as well as live-streamed on the SonyLIV over-the-top (OTT) platform.
“Cricket has a great following in India. We want to present our viewers with some high-energy T20 cricket throughout December with the addition of the Lanka Premier League “Sony Pictures Networks India’s Chief Revenue Officer, Distribution and Head – Sports Business, Rajesh Kaul, stated.
He went on to say that the LPL’s growth and popularity are aided by the presence of top international cricketers such as Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, and Faf du Plessis, among others.
Former India fast bowler Irfan Pathan and former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi will be among the stars of the tournament.
Sri Lankan T20 talents such as Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga will also compete.
The LPL’s maiden season, which took place in a bio-secure bubble at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota from November 26 to December 16, 2020, drew a total audience of 557 million people across television, digital-social media, and conventional media outlets.
155 million people tuned in to watch the matches live on television. It also reached 218 million people on social media.
Sponsors received $54.5 million in media exposure, with title sponsor MY11Circle seeing a 9.85x return on investment, according to the broadcaster.
Jaffna Stallions, the winners of the first LPL, are valued at $3.98 million, followed by Galle Gladiators at $3.82 million, Dambulla Vikings (now Dambulla Giants), Colombo Kings at $3.44 million, and Kandy Tuskers at $3.19 million.
