Sony Kix acquires broadcast rights for LaLiga

Kix has the rights to telecast three back-to-back seasons of the prominent league until the year 2018.

Sony Kix has acquired the telecast rights to LaLiga, the premier division of the Spanish football league system.

The broadcaster will exclusively telecast the league across India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Maldives, through the three-year deal. It is aiming to consolidate its position as the home of international and club football across the Indian sub-continent. The league hosts some of the biggest names from international and club-level football such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta, Antoine Griezmann, Neymar, Gareth Bale and Luis Suarez, amongst others.

The acquisition further strengthens the network's current portfolio of live football programming which already boasts of a strong line-up of marquee properties including the UEFA EURO 2016, Qualifiers for UEFA EURO 2016, European Qualifiers for 2018 FIFA World Cup, 2018 FIFA World Cup and COPA America 2015.

Prasana Krishnan, business head, Sony Six and Sony Kix, says, "We are extremely thrilled to be associated with this pre-eminent league and this move opens up a bold new chapter in our operations as we go on to spearhead the football-led genre in our industry. The extended offering of matches coupled with holistic recaps of the league, will position our network as the premier destination for unparalleled football viewing experience."

Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, adds, "We are extremely happy to start this association with MSM and proud to announce the Sony sports channels as our new home for the upcoming seasons in this region. MSM has been known for its aggressive and innovative marketing and the differentiated treatment of sports coverage on its network, and we are looking forward to joining hands with them to bring the LaLiga matches to fans in the region."

LaLiga, the elite division in professional Spanish league football, kicks off the 2015 season on August 23, 2015. This will be the 85th season of the top-tier Spanish football league. Through the deal, Kix will exclusively showcase the matches live, including the much anticipated El Clasico.

A total of 20 teams will contest the league, including 17 sides from the 2014-15 season and the three promoted ones from the 2014-15 Segunda Division, including Real Betis, Sporting de Gijon and Las Palmas, which qualified through the play-offs.