MTV enters sports broadcasting with Super Fight League 2018

The youth channel has acquired the exclusive broadcast and digital rights for the league across India.

In a recent announcement, youth channel MTV India, will be bringing the second season of Super Fight League (SFL), the mixed martial arts tournament, promoted by British businessman and sports enthusiast Bill Dosanjh and British professional boxer and two-time world champion Amir Khan. With a vision to cement Mixed Martial Arts’ position as a mainstream sport with mass appeal in the global sports fraternity, MTV has acquired the exclusive broadcast and digital rights for MTV Super Fight League 2018 across India. MTV Super Fight League will be exclusively aired on MTV February 2018 onwards.

Raj NayakCommenting on the association with Super Fight League, Raj Nayak, COO, Viacom18, says in a press release, “Mixed Martial Arts is a niche sport in India but one that’s gaining a lot of popularity. Through MTV’s association with Super Fight League we aim to popularize the sport and make it accessible to a much larger audience than it currently enjoys - the youth of India. We see a lot of potential in the sport and hope for a longstanding association with the league.”

Bill Dosanjh, SFL’s CEO and founder, says in a press release, “MTV is the channel that resonates strongly with the youth of today and this association will help build the sport amongst the millennial generation and more participation from the youth. Having MTV as the broadcast partner will further augment our endeavour to reach the core population of India and make Super Fight League a name to reckon with in the MMA fraternity in India. On the investment side, we have spent almost Rs. 250 crores in the last five years and we are looking to invest a further Rs. 200 crores over the next 3 years.”

Ferzad PaliaAsian athlete and two-time world champion, Amir Khan, says in a press release, “India is seeing a progressive change with the focus shifting towards alternate sports. The MTV backing will provide the right ecosystem for the action sport to enter the mainstream population of the country and give it that universal appeal.”

Ferzad Palia, Head - Youth, Music and English Entertainment, Viacom18, says in a press release, “The Indian youth is always looking out for something new and exciting, and when it comes to sports, they’re exploring avenues beyond cricket. Mixed Martial Arts is a form of sport thatnot only enables one to learn the tricks of self- defense but instills great confidence in those getting into the ring. Since our target group, the youth of the country is constantly looking for something to inspire them, this is a great opportunity for them to learn. MTV Super Fight League is going to be a platform for young people to discover an exciting sport where they will learn that fighting is not just about being strong but also about being fit and being smart.”

The franchise-based league that is being organized in association with the All-India Martial Arts Association (AIMMAA) will entail prize money of INR 4 crores as well as 96 players and 8 teams as listed below -