Sony ESPN

Sony ESPN
CountryIndia
Broadcast areaIndian subcontinent
NetworkSony Pictures Sports Network
HeadquartersMumbai, Maharashtra
Programming
Language(s)Malayalam
Bengali
Kannada
English
Hindi
Tamil
Telugu
Ownership
OwnerESPN Inc. (50%)
Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt Ltd (50%)
Sister channels
List
History
Launched8 April 2015; 9 years ago (2015-04-08) (as Sony Kix)
16 January 2016; 8 years ago (2016-01-16) (as Sony ESPN)
Closed30 March 2020; 4 years ago (2020-03-30)
Former namesSony Kix (2015–2016)

Sony ESPN was an Indian pay television sports channel which was a joint venture between ESPN and Sony Pictures Networks. The channel targeted the Indian subcontinent including India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. It was part of the Sony Sports Network group.

History

The channel launched on 8 April 2015 as Sony Kix, coinciding with the 2015 Indian Premier League.[1]

In October 2015, Multi Screen Media announced a partnership with ESPN International, which would include the rebranding of Sony Kix as Sony ESPN, and collaboration on digital properties (including partnerships with properties such as ESPNcricinfo). The venture returned the ESPN brand to Indian television for the first time since Star India rebranded its ESPN Star Sports channels as Star Sports in 2013.[2][3] After 9 months, the channel changed its name to Sony ESPN on 17 January 2016 on the same day when the high-definition version of this channel was launched coinciding with the 2016 Australian Open.[4]

On 18 July 2017, the channel became part of Sony Sports Network following SPN's acquisition of TEN Sports.[5]

The channel was shut down on 30 March 2020. It has been replaced By Sony Ten 4 and Sony Ten 4 HD.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Multi Screen Media to launch Sony Kix to air IPL season 8". The Economic Times. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  2. ^ "Star Sports: A new logo, packaging & brand identity". Indian Television. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  3. ^ "STAR India rebrands; sheds 'ESPN' branding". www.afaqs.com. 6 November 2013. Archived from the original on 14 March 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  4. ^ "SONY ESPN, SONY ESPN HD to launch on Jan 17th". Exchange4media. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  5. ^ "Sony rebrands sports business; launches 2 new HD channels". The Economic Times. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  6. ^ Arasu, Basil Kannagi. "Sony Pictures Network India to shut down Sony MIX, Sony ESPN SD and HD is now Sony Ten 4 and Sony Ten 4 HD from 30th March". dreamdth.com. Retrieved 31 October 2022.