Sony Six bags rights to UEFA Euro 2016, FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers

The sports channel will cover 546 international matches over three years, starting with UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers in September, 2014.

Sony Six, the sports entertainment channel from the Multi Screen Media (MSM) stable, has acquired the broadcast rights for European qualifiers to UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup across the Indian sub-continent.

The channel recently bagged the rights to air the UEFA Euro 2016 main event comprising 51 matches. However, the rights for FIFA World Cup 2018 main event have still not been sold to any broadcaster.

According to an industry insider, this is the first time UEFA Euro has packaged its qualifiers and sold it to one channel. Earlier, the qualifier matches were sold depending on the channels' interest in specific matches.

This new arrangement will provide Sony Six with coverage of 546 international matches over three years, starting with UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers during September, 2014, till November, 2015, with 10 matches of each national team across 12 match weeks.

Additionally, the channel will also broadcast the 2018 FIFA World Cup (European) qualifiers during September, 2016, till November, 2017.

Man Jit Singh, CEO, MSM India, says, "The qualifiers starting from 2014 through 2017 will set the stage for two of the biggest tournaments in world football - the UEFA Euro 2016 and 2018 FIFA World Cup. These are exciting times for all sports fans and we are delighted to bring such world class sporting events to their homes."

NP Singh, COO, MSM India, says, "Sony Six reiterate its commitment to give the audiences the best of international football. The qualifiers for both UEFA Euro 2016 and 2018 FIFA World CUP (European nations) will complete the exciting qualifying journey for the fans to set up two of football's biggest tournaments."

Guy-Laurent Epstein, marketing director, UEFA, says, "We are delighted to have extended our partnership with Sony Six on UEFA Euro 2016 to the European qualifiers, UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Sony Six will be offering to football fans in India a comprehensive platform and an extensive coverage of European national team football."

Sony Six airs other sporting properties such as the Pepsi IPL 2013, The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and the NBA.