Sony Pictures Networks India renews UEFA media rights deal

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has extended its collaboration with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), thus renewing its exclusive broadcast and digital rights agreement with the European football-governing body for showcasing the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, the UEFA Conference League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the UEFA Youth League. 

The renewal, kicking off with the 2024/25 season and set to run till the end of the 2026/27 season, will allow SPNI to showcase over 1,600 UEFA club football matches across its channels. 

The aforementioned UEFA tournaments will be available exclusively on both linear television via Sony Sports Network as well as on SPNI’s on-demand OTT platform, SonyLIV, in the Indian subcontinent.  

SPNI has been the home of the UEFA Champions League in the Indian subcontinent since 2017.  

Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer of Distribution and International Business, also Head of Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India, said: 

“Sony Sports Network, with a longstanding commitment to showcasing the very best of football, takes immense pride in announcing the extension of its partnership with UEFA for the next three seasons. Through this renewed collaboration, Sony Sports Network reaffirms its dedication to delivering unrivalled access to the most prestigious club football tournaments to fans across the Indian subcontinent. Since 2020, UEFA Champions League viewership in India has surged by over 51%, attributed largely through the introduction of regional language commentary. With the forthcoming transition to a new format, featuring over 125 additional matches and up to 38 early kickoff matches per season tailored for Indian audiences, we are confident that this growth will gain momentum further. As the ‘Home of Football’ in India, we eagerly anticipate showcasing over 1600 highly competitive football matches across these leagues to our viewers.“

Guy-Laurent Epstein, Marketing Director, UEFA Events SA, added:  

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with Sony Sports Network. Sony Sports Network coverage of UEFA properties in India has led to the growth of its following and viewership in India. Fans in the region will be offered extensive and excellent coverage of UEFA’s Football portfolio which includes the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League, with the broadcast on Sony Sports Network and their digital platform Sony LIV.“