Sony Pictures Network set to create new record in IPL 2017

Sony Pictures Network India, the official broadcasters of the Indian Premier League has signed three more associate sponsors moving closer to its target of Rs.1300 crore in advertising revenues from the 10^th season of the IPL. The three associate sponsors who have been signed are Voltas, Havells and MakeMyTrip.

The addition of these three associate sponsors takes the total tally of the same for the 10^th season of the cash-rich league to 12 so far. ET first reported that Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) has already roped in Chinese mobile handset maker Vivo, mobile service provider Vodafone and e-commerce major Amazon as co-presenting sponsors, besides CEAT Tyres, Vimal Pan Masala, Yamaha Motors, Parle Agro’s Frooti, Yes Bank and Polycab as associate sponsors.

Rohit Gupta, President of network sales and international business at Sony Pictures Network quoted “We have locked in 12 sponsors now and talks with a couple of categories like payment gateways, auto and FMCGs are still going on”

“We have also got Reliance Jio and Oppo as large spot buyers, committing for more spots than even the associate sponsors. Between sponsors and spot buyers, we have 75% of the inventory already sold

This year Sony Pictures Network is not selling the entire advertising inventory before the beginning of the league as they are planning to keep at least 15-20% of the available spots for later this time.

“Last year we faced a situation where advertisers wanted to buy spots at a premium but we did not have inventory. This time, we have decided to keep 15-20% of the inventory for advertisers to buy at a later stage. We will also increase price to Rs 6,25,000 per 10 seconds”

Earlier, the spot buying rates fixed by the SPN at Rs. 6 lakh/10 seconds, while HD feed’s rates are at Rs 2 lakh/10 seconds. Co-presenting sponsors are to pay the broadcaster Rs 5.2 lakh per 10 seconds of advertisement during IPL, while associate sponsors will pay Rs 5.75 lakh per 10 seconds.

The broadcaster in last year’s IPL had made almost close to Rs.1100 crore in advertising money with 12 sponsors. This time the SPN is confident that they will create a new record.