Sony Pictures Networks strike seven-year India broadcast deal with New Zealand Cricket

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has inked a seven year deal with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) to broadcast all of their international games in India for the next seven years. Currently, New Zealand’s matches are broadcast in India through Amazon Prime, but the deal with Prime ends in the summer. 

It is worth noting that the Indian team is due to tour New Zealand in 2026–27 and 2030–31, which is an exciting opportunity for SPNI. The deal will come into effect from May 1, 2024, and will run until April 30 2031, with the matches also available to watch on Sony's digital platform i.e., SonyLIV.

NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink spoke about the deal and expressed his delight over the opportunity, explaining what it could mean for New Zealand Cricket. 

"Sony Pictures Networks India is an aspirational, innovative and forward-focussed business that prides itself on being efficient and sustainable in a rapidly changing world, It puts its consumers first and seeks to be the very best it can be - values NZC relates to very strongly,” Weenink was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. 

This is a significant commercial agreement: NZC's GM Commercial Chris Smith

NZC's GM Commercial, Chris Smith, also gave his take on the development, highlighting how big Sony’s market has been in India. Smith opined that he and NZC are looking forward to the fruitful deal with SPNI. 

"It's fair to say this is a significant commercial agreement, Sony has a large presence in the Indian market on both linear and digital platforms and we're looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership. It's been a great experience working with the SPNI team while finalising these arrangements,” Smith said. 

SPNI's digital rights in India will be shared with Prime for the 2024–25 and 2025–26 seasons.