Tuesday, 21st June 2011

RIGHTS FEES

=> The next World Cup Kabaddi will have a total prize purse of Rs 29.6 mil, close to half of the highest paying golf event in India, the Indian Open 2010 ($1.25 mn, or Rs66 mil), and triple the 2010 prize purse for the Asian Badminton Championship at Rs9 mil ($200,000). The first edition of the KWC had seen an initially hesitant channels pick up broadcast rights for Rs3.6 mil, but it made money, selling individual games to DTH subscribers in Canada, USA and other countries at $ 45 /TV set. This year, broadcast rights will be given away to the highest bidder. Twelve nations, including Pakistan, Canada and Afghanistan, have confirmed participation in the Cup. Besides hosts India, other teams include USA, Australia, UK, Iran, Italy, Norway and Spain.


BROADCAST & RIGHTS DISTRIBUTION


=>  ESPN Star Sports expects strong viewership for the 125th Wimbledon Championship 2011, as fans eagerly anticipate Li Na repeating her landmark French Open victory. As the first Chinese to win a Grand Slam, Li’s win in Paris drew 116 mil viewers. The rising profile of Asian players is expected to resonate with viewers across the region. Last year over 65 mil Asian viewers watched the event, predominantly male while female tennis fan base is distinct and growing. The event will be available across all TV platforms on ESS, reaching 24 countries including China, India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. ESS will show a record of nearly 350 live matches from eight courts over two weeks starting 20 June.


NEW MEDIA

=>  The Badminton World Federation has launched an official online live streaming and video-on-demand channel, hosted by Google-owned YouTube. The BWF-Google deal was brokered by Total Sports Asia, who distributes broadcast rights for the BWF's annual top-tier World Super Series. The Li-Ning Singapore Open, which finished yesterday, was the first event to be streamed live on badmintonworld.tv, with five matches available each day, and the BWF said the initiative will be extended to cover the entire series, which runs from Jan to Dec.


STATS & DATA

=>  A 17% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) has been observed in the spread of cable and satellite TV across India, while internet growth has risen by 32.5% - albeit from a low penetration base line. Q1 2011 show total reach of cable and satellite TV is now 416.51 mil, up from 403.51 mil registered in Q4 2010, and just under 383.61 mil homes a year ago. TV – inc. terrestrial – is now available in 522.44 mil Indian homes, up 5% on 516.41 mil at end 2010, and 509.86 mil Q1 2010. Internet is available in 25.92 mil homes, compared with 24.33 mil in Q4 2010, and 22.52 mil a year ago – according to the Media Research Users Council (MRUC) and Hansa. The reach of radio fell from 163.91 mil to 161.48 mil in the same period: a drop of 8.3% negative CAGR.


BIZ & BITES

=>  Controversial Trinidadian Jack Warner cut his ties with the international game after quitting his roles at FIFA and CONCACAF. 68-year-old Warner, who was a vice president of FIFA and president of CONCACAF, has been serving suspension pending a full inquiry by into allegations of bribery. However, the case against him has now been dropped. FIFA said it "regrets the turn of events that have led to Warner's decision", adding that "as a consequence of Warner’s self-determined resignation, all ethics committee procedures against him have been closed" and "the presumption of innocence is maintained."

=>  Zee Entertainment unveiled a new logo and slogan, with the objective to develop a progressive outlook for the entire network, and its flagship channel Zee TV. The new look, which sports an abstract ‘Z’ and an aqua blue theme, will be carried across the group’s bouquet of channels globally. Creative aspects cost the company over $ 2 mil. Zee put together an extensive promotional drive that will be spread over a month across media outside the Zee Network channels.