Sony ESPN explained

Sony ESPN
Launch Date: (as Sony Kix)
(as Sony ESPN)
Owner:ESPN Inc. (50%)
Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt Ltd (50%)
Headquarters:Mumbai, Maharashtra
Country:India
Language:Malayalam
Bengali
Kannada
English
Hindi
Tamil
Telugu
Area:Indian subcontinent
Network:Sony Pictures Sports Network
Former Names:Sony 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 It has been replaced By Sony Ten 4 and Sony Ten 4 HD.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1 April 2015 . Multi Screen Media to launch Sony Kix to air IPL season 8 . 2 April 2015 . The Economic Times.
  2. News: 8 November 2013 . Star Sports: A new logo, packaging & brand identity . Indian Television . 10 January 2019.
  3. Web site: 6 November 2013 . STAR India rebrands; sheds 'ESPN' branding . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180314042411/http://www.afaqs.com/news/story/39137_STAR-India-rebrands-sheds-ESPN-branding . 14 March 2018 . 13 March 2018 . www.afaqs.com . en.
  4. Web site: SONY ESPN, SONY ESPN HD to launch on Jan 17th . 2022-10-31 . Exchange4media . en.
  5. News: Sony rebrands sports business; launches 2 new HD channels . The Economic Times . 2021-07-03.
  6. Web site: 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 . 2022-10-31 . dreamdth.com . en-US.