In a bid to provide an unparalleled viewing experience of the two most prestigious international football tournaments — UEFA EURO 2020 and Copa América 2021, Sony Pictures Sports Network (SPSN) has announced a range of programming initiatives for the showpiece events to bring the global marquee events closer to viewers in India.
SPSN will telecast UEFA EURO 2020 in six languages to reach out to a wider audience across India: English, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. UEFA EURO 2020 will be held in 11 cities across Europe featuring 24 of the best teams starting June 11, 2021 and fans can watch all the thrilling action unfold LIVE on SONY TEN 2, SONY TEN 3, SONY SIX and SONY TEN 4 channels as well as livestream it on SonyLIV.
Sports fans can also look forward to Copa América 2021 which will feature some of the biggest names from the 10 participating nations with top footballers like Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr, Dani Alves, Gabriel Jesus, Alisson Becker, James Rodriguez, Roberto Firmino, Paolo Dybala, Sergio Aguero and more.
Copa América will be telecast live in five languages: English, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam on SONY TEN 1, SONY TEN 2, SONY SIX and SONY TEN 4 channels starting June 14, 2021 and fans can also livestream it on SonyLIV.
In a new development, UEFA EURO 2020 and Copa América 2021 will also be telecast on SPSN’s new regional language sports channel, SONY TEN 4, which will be available in Tamil and Telugu languages across the southern region of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The channel launch is in-line with SPSN’s commitment to foster a multi-sports culture in the country while providing fans with an unparalleled viewing experience of their favorite sports. SPSN has roped in actor Rana Daggubati as the face of the channel and he will also be promoting WWE’s programming in Tamil and Telugu.
UEFA EURO 2020 will also bring back the much-loved LIVE Studio Show “Football Extraaa” hosted by familiar faces, Manas Singh and Arpit Sharma. The distinguished line-up of panelists to provide ‘extraaa’ opinions, insights and analyses will include International former footballers like Louis Saha, Luis Garcia, Don Hutchison, David James, Terry Phelan, Mark Seagraves, Ashley Westwood and Jofre Mateu along with some of the best Indian talent to have graced the football pitch like Indian legend, Bhaichung Bhutia and current superstars such as Indian Captain Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan and Robin Singh. And to give the viewers back home something ‘extraaa’, SPSN will also have Andy Mitten, Adriano Del Monte and Eisha Megan Acton, reporting live from the ground across match venues and taking the viewers closer to the action.
Commenting on it, Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer, Distribution and Head – Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India said in a statement: “Sony Pictures Sports Network is committed to presenting our viewers with the best sporting action in the world and UEFA EURO 2020 is at the forefront of it. UEFA EURO 2020 is considered one of the toughest tournaments in the world because of the high quality of the participating teams and players.”
“Our exhaustive coverage for the tournament to serve our viewers in six different languages and a comprehensive English language studio featuring prominent names like Louis Saha, Luis Garcia, Don Hutchison, David James, Bhaichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri,” he added.
The 16th edition of UEFA EURO 2020 will have 51 games for fans to enjoy over a period of 30 days. Rome’s Stadio Olimpico will host the opening match on June 12 while the finals on July 12 will be held inside the iconic Wembley Stadium in London. The opening round of matches from June 12 to June 23 will feature some thrilling encounters such as England vs Croatia, France vs Germany, Portugal vs Germany, Portugal vs France and many more.