NWIMuoi623534 at 09:04, 16 March 2026

2026-03-16T09:04:23Z

59.88.27.133: /* Clubs */

2023-10-05T05:51:17Z

Clubs

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:21, 5 October 2023
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	\| headquarters = [[Mumbai]], [[India]]		\| headquarters = [[Mumbai]], [[India]]
	\| network = [[Culver Max Entertainment]]		\| network = [[Culver Max Entertainment]]
	\| former_names = ~~Ten~~ Sports,		\| former_names = TEN Sports (2002-2017)<br />Sony TEN (2017-2022)<br/>Sony Six (2012-2022)
	Sony ~~Ten,~~		\| website = {{URL\|https://sonysportsnetwork.com}}
	Sony Six
	\| website = {{URL\|https://~~sonyliv~~.com}}
	}}		}}

	'''Sony Sports Network''', and also known as '''Sony TEN''', is a group of [[Television in India\|Indian]] [[pay television]] sports channels owned by [[Culver Max Entertainment]] (formerly Sony Pictures Networks India).		'''Sony Sports Network''', formerly known as '''Sony Pictures Sports Network''' and also known as '''Sony TEN''', is a group of [[Television in India\|Indian]] [[pay television]] sports channels owned by [[Culver Max Entertainment]] (formerly Sony Pictures Networks India).

	The original TEN Sports channel was first established on 1 April 2002 by [[Abdul Rahman Bukhatir]]. It was acquired by [[Essel Group]] in 2010, and was added to Essel's existing Zee Sports channel, launched in 2005. After the acquisition, Zee launched two new channels, TEN Cricket and TEN Golf, and rebranded Zee Sports as TEN Action.		The original TEN Sports channel was first established on 1 April 2002 by [[Abdul Rahman Bukhatir]]. It was acquired by [[Essel Group]] in 2010, and was added to Essel's existing Zee Sports channel, launched in 2005. After the acquisition, Zee launched two new channels, TEN Cricket and TEN Golf, and rebranded Zee Sports as TEN Action.
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	* [[T20 Blast]]		* [[T20 Blast]]
	* [[The Hundred (cricket)\|The Hundred]]		* [[The Hundred (cricket)\|The Hundred]]
			* [[International League T20\|ILT20]] 2024-32 (merger with [[Zee Entertainment Enterprises\|ZEE]])
			* [[International Cricket Council\|ICC Events]] 2024-27 (TV Rights merger with [[Zee Entertainment Enterprises\|ZEE]])

	===Football===		===Football===
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	* [[Indian Super Cup]]		* [[Indian Super Cup]]
	* [[Durand Cup]]		* [[Durand Cup]]
			* [[Saudi Pro League]]
			*

	===Mixed martial arts===		===Mixed martial arts===

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article

2023-08-18T06:35:13Z

Created a new article

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{{short description|Indian sports television networks}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = Sony Sports Network
| logo = Sony_Sports_Network.png
| logo_size = 220px
| founder =
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2002|04|01}}
| parent = [[Sony]]
| sister_channels = [[Culver Max Entertainment]] [[Television channel|Channels]]
| picture_format = [[1080i]] [[HDTV]] (downscaled to [[576i]] [[4:3]] for SDTVs)
| type = [[Sports]]
| country = [[India]]
| area = [[Indian subcontinent]]
| language = [[English language|English]] [[Hindi]] [[Malayalam]] [[Telugu language|Telugu]] [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| headquarters = [[Mumbai]], [[India]]
| network = [[Culver Max Entertainment]]
| former_names = Ten Sports,
Sony Ten,
Sony Six
| website = {{URL|https://sonyliv.com}}
}}

'''Sony Sports Network''', and also known as '''Sony TEN''', is a group of [[Television in India|Indian]] [[pay television]] sports channels owned by [[Culver Max Entertainment]] (formerly Sony Pictures Networks India).

The original TEN Sports channel was first established on 1 April 2002 by [[Abdul Rahman Bukhatir]]. It was acquired by [[Essel Group]] in 2010, and was added to Essel's existing Zee Sports channel, launched in 2005. After the acquisition, Zee launched two new channels, TEN Cricket and TEN Golf, and rebranded Zee Sports as TEN Action.

In August 2016, [[Culver Max Entertainment|Sony Pictures Networks India]] acquired all of the sports channels under Zee from Essel. In 2017, the networks were formally merged with Sony's existing [[Sony ESPN]] and Sony Six channels as Sony Pictures Sports Network, with the TEN channels rebranded as Sony TEN. The channels were then rebranded as Sony Sports Network in October 2022, with all five channels now carrying the "Sony Sports Ten" prefix.

== History ==
In January 2001, Taj Television Ltd. was formed in [[Dubai]] with [[Abdul Rahman Bukhatir]] as a backer.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |date=16 March 2004 |title=Who owns Ten Sports? |url=https://www.rediff.com/money/2004/mar/16bspec.htm |access-date=22 October 2022 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> Bukhatir had various business interests and was known for transforming [[Sharjah Cricket Stadium|Sharjah]] as a major international cricket venue.<ref name=":03" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Borkakoty |first=Rituraj |date=3 November 2021 |title=Meet the Kerry Packer of the Arabian Gulf |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/cricket/meet-the-kerry-packer-of-the-arabian-gulf |access-date=2022-10-22 |website=[[Khaleej Times]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> The company launched the channel as TEN Sports (as part of its Taj Entertainment Network) on 1 April 2002.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Chakraborty |first=Alokananda |date=26 March 2002 |title=TEN Sports to hit airwaves on April 1 |url=https://www.afaqs.com/news/advertising/4124_ten-sports-to-hit-airwaves-on-april-1 |access-date=22 October 2022 |website=afaqs!}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 March 2002 |title=Ten Sports launching 1 April |url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k2/mar/mar62.htm |access-date=22 October 2022 |website=Indiantelevision.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-03-26 |title=Bukhatir's Ten Sports To Go On Air From April 1 |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/bukhatir8217s-ten-sports-to-go-on-air-from-april-1/41436/ |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]] |language=en-US}}</ref> As of March 2004, the company was headed by Chris McDonald as CEO and had 100 employees.<ref name=":03" />

In June 2005, Zee Telefilms Limited launched Zee Sports, reportedly India's first private sports channel.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 June 2005 |title=Zee launches India's first private sports channel 'Zee Sports' |url=https://www.exchange4media.com/media-tv-news/zee-launches-indias-first-private-sports-channel-zee-sports-16523.html |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=Exchange4media |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 June 2005 |title=Zee launches its sports channel |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/zee-launches-its-sports-channel-210831 |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref> [[Zee Entertainment Enterprises|Zee Telefilms]] acquired a 50% stake in TEN Sports for {{Indian Rupee}}800 [[crore]] [[Indian rupee|rupees]] (₹{{Crore|800}}) in 2006, and eventually acquired the remainder of its Indian operations in 2010.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Malvania |first=Urvi |date=2016-09-01 |title=ZEE sells Ten Sports to Sony for $385 mn |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/zee-sells-ten-sports-to-sony-for-385-mn-116083100446_1.html |access-date=2022-10-22 |website=[[Business Standard]] |language=en}}</ref> The sale did not include its [[Ten Sports|Pakistani operations]], which were retained by [[Essel Group]] via the subsidiary Tower Sports.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Correspondent |first=Our |date=2020-07-23 |title=Indian monopoly over Pakistan Cricket broadcast rights |url=https://www.scoreline.org/indian-monopoly-over-pakistan-cricket-broadcast-rights/ |access-date=2021-09-13 |website=ScoreLine |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2010, Zee rebranded Zee Sports as Ten Action which featured adventure sports and non-cricket content. In 2011 Zee launched a new channel called Ten Cricket, exclusively for cricket matches. In March 2016, all channels in the Zee network were rebranded as Ten 1, Ten 2, and Ten 3 respectively.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 March 2016 |title=Zee Group follows Star in rebranding Ten Sports channels |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/zee-group-follows-star-in-rebranding-ten-sports-channels/articleshow/51601562.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2022-10-23}}</ref>

[[File:Sony TEN logo new.png|thumb|right|The former logos of the Sony Pictures Sports Network and its channels, used from 2017 to 2022.]]
In August 2016, [[Culver Max Entertainment|Sony Pictures Networks India]] announced its intent to acquire Zee's sports networks for US$385 million; the first phase of the sale, which included equity stakes in the holding companies Taj Television (India) Pvt. Ltd. and part of Taj TV Limited Mauritius, was completed in February 2017 for US$350 million.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Menon|first=Bindu|title=Sony Pictures acquires Ten Sports for $385 m|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/sports/sony-pictures-acquires-ten-sports-for-385-m/article9054961.ece|access-date=2021-07-16|website=@businessline|date=31 August 2016 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-02-28|title=Zee completes 1st phase of sale of TEN sports to Sony Pictures|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/zee-completes-1st-phase-of-sale-of-ten-sports-to-sony-pictures/569838/|access-date=2021-07-16|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US}}</ref> On 18 July 2017, all of Sony's sports channels in India were rebranded as Sony TEN, and high-definition feeds of Sony TEN 2 and 3 were also launched.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|title=Sony rebrands sports business; launches 2 new HD channels|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/sony-rebrands-sports-business-launches-2-new-hd-channels/articleshow/59651869.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2021-07-03}}</ref> The remainder of the sale was completed in September 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |title=Zee Entertainment completes sale of TEN Sports to Sony |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/zee-entertainment-completes-sale-of-ten-sports-to-sony/article9863353.ece |access-date=2021-07-16 |website=@businessline |date=18 September 2017 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ZEE Entertainment Completes Sale Of TEN Sports To Sony |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/zee-entertainment-completes-sale-of-ten-sports-to-sony-2390619.html |access-date=2021-07-16 |website=Moneycontrol |language=en}}</ref>

The networks, along with new sisters '''Sony Six''' and [[Sony ESPN]], were branded under the umbrella name Sony Pictures Sports Network, and began to phase in a rebranding as Sony Sports in 2020.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=14 March 2020 |title=Sony Pictures Network India to shut down Sony MIX, Sony ESPN SD and HD from 30th March |url=https://dreamdth.com/sony-pictures-network-india-to-shut-down-sony-mix-sony-espn-sd-and-hd-from-30th-march-report/ |website=DreamDTH}}</ref> Sony ESPN was shut down on 30 March 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arasu |first=Basil Kannagi |title=Sony Pictures Network India to shut down Sony MIX, Sony ESPN SD and HD from 30th March |url=https://dreamdth.com/sony-pictures-network-india-to-shut-down-sony-mix-sony-espn-sd-and-hd-from-30th-march-report/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=dreamdth.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

In June 2021, Sony launched '''Sony TEN 4''', which broadcasts in the [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Tamil language|Tamil]] languages. Actor [[Rana Daggubati]] served as a promotional ambassador for the network's launch.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Karhadkar |first=Amol |date=2021-06-01 |title=Sony launches new sports channel in Tamil and Telugu |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/other-sports/sony-pictures-sports-network-tamil-telugu-channel-rajesh-kaul/article34701035.ece |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=sportstar.thehindu.com |language=en}}</ref>

On 24 October 2022, the Sony Pictures Sports Network was rebranded as Sony Sports Network, as part of a wider rebranding of all Culver Max Entertainment channels under versions of the global Sony television branding. Its channels were likewise rebranded under the new prefix "'''Sony Sports Ten'''", and '''Sony Six''' was brought under the Ten branding for the first time as '''Sony Sports Ten 5'''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhadra |first=Soham |title=Sony Pictures Network channels get rebranded with new logos and graphics |url=https://dreamdth.com/sony-pictures-network-channels-get-rebranded-with-new-logos-and-graphics/ |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=dreamdth.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Channels ==
[[File:All-logos4.gif|thumb]]

=== Sony Sports Ten 1 ===
'''Sony Sports Ten 1''' is an [[English-language]] channel that broadcasts events from the [[World Athletics Championships]], [[Asian Games]], [[Commonwealth Games]] and [[Sukma Games]]. Its programming schedule also consists on live coverage of tennis, rally, horse racing, beach volleyball events and basketball. ''[[WWE Raw]]'' and [[WWE SmackDown|''SmackDown'']] are currently broadcast live weekly, along with ''[[WWE NXT|NXT]]'', ''[[WWE Main Event|Main Event]]'', ''Sunday Dhamaal'' and all premium live events.<ref>{{Cite news |url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/channel/sony-ten-1/params/tvchannel/channelid-10000000000620000 |title=Sony Ten 1 TV Programmes, Popular Shows |work=[[The Times of India]] trwtu|access-date=22 August 2017}}</ref>

=== Sony Sports Ten 2 ===
'''Sony Sports Ten 2''' is an [[English-language]] channel that broadcasts football matches from European football leagues such as [[Bundesliga]], [[DFB-Pokal]], [[DFL-Supercup]] of Germany and [[MMA]] promotion [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]] (UFC) in English.<ref>{{Cite news|title=UFC 264 , Dustin Poriee vs Conor McGregor|work=[[The Indian Express]]|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/ufc-264-dustin-poirier-vs-conor-mcgregor-live-streaming-7398271/lite/&ved=2ahUKEwji9vGtu6v0AhUJBKYKHWq4CSo4FBAWegQIBhAB&usg=AOvVaw3LBiWkRdwy13PAH9-BJgYC}}</ref>

=== Sony Sports Ten 3 ===
'''Sony Sports Ten 3''' is a [[Hindi|Hindi-language]] channel that airs cricket matches from the [[Pakistan Cricket Board|Pakistan]], [[Sri Lanka Cricket|Sri Lanka]] and [[England and Wales Cricket Board|England]] cricket boards.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22132423/wicb-signs-seven-year-tv-rights-deal |title=West Indies Cricket Board production and International broadcast rights from 2012-2019 contract |work=www.espncricinfo.com}}</ref> It also broadcasts football matches.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://sports24hour.com/ten-3-broadcast-emirates-t20-live-telecast-india-uae-pakistan-country/ |title=Ten 3 Broadcast Emirates T20 Live Telecast in India, UAE, Pakistan country |first=Kartik |last=Shah |work=Sports24Hour.com |date=23 March 2017 |access-date=3 December 2017}}.</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/channel/sony-ten-3/params/tvchannel/channelid-10000000006000000 |title=Sony Ten 3 TV Programmes, Popular Shows |work=The Times of India |access-date=22 August 2017}}</ref> Sony Ten 3 and Sony Ten 3 HD broadcasts UFC matches in SD and HD format respectively in Hindi language.It also broadcasts WWE with Hindi commentary.

=== Sony Sports Ten 4 ===
'''Sony Sports Ten 4''' is a [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Tamil language|Tamil-language]] channel launched on 1 June 2021.It broadcasts WWE in Tamil and Telugu commentary.

=== Sony Sports Ten 5 ===
'''Sony Sports Ten 5''' is an [[English language|English-language]] channel originally launched as Sony Six in April 2012, prior to the acquisition of TEN. It has historically featured international cricket.

=== Former channels ===

==== Sony ESPN ====
[[Sony ESPN|Sony KIX]] was launched on 8 April 2015 by what is now Sony Pictures Networks India, it was the second sports television channel launched by the company after [[Sony Six]]. The channel was rebranded as Sony ESPN on 17 January 2016.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 January 2016 |title=Launch date set for Sony ESPN channels in Indian subcontinent |url=https://media.sportbusiness.com/news/launch-date-set-for-sony-espn-channels-in-indian-subcontinent |website=sports business}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Choudhary |first=Vidhi |date=7 October 2015 |title=ESPN returns to India in tie-up with Sony |url=https://www.livemint.com/Companies/x7yeIqCCTrePGqbMej5R9K/MSM-to-launch-new-channels-website-on-sports.html |website=mint}}</ref>
[[File:Sony_ESPN_logo.svg|thumb|Sony ESPN Logo]]
Sony and ESPN would partner together on website and app efforts, with ESPN providing and producing content such as [[cricket]], [[Association football|football]], [[tennis]], [[basketball]], [[badminton]], [[field hockey]], [[golf]], [[rugby union]], [[motorsport]] along with other events. Sony Six and Sony ESPN, which were launched before Sony's purchase of Ten, effectively became part of the group when the acquisition was completed. Sony ESPN was shut down on 31 March 2020.<ref name=":4" />

=== Sony Ten Golf ===
It was an HD, golf-focused channel launched on 7 October 2015. It had the broadcasting rights to the [[European Tour]], [[Asian Tour]], [[Ryder Cup]], [[LPGA Tour]], [[Royal Trophy]], [[US PGA Championship]], [[Senior PGA Championship]], [[Professional Golf Tour of India]], and [[Ladies European Tour]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/channel/sony-ten-1-hd/params/tvchannel/channelid-10000000007510000|title=Sony Ten 1 HD TV Programmes, Popular Shows|website=The Times of India|access-date=2017-08-22}}</ref> The channel was closed on 31 December 2018.

== Programming rights ==
=== Tennis ===
* [[Australian Open]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arasu |first=Basil Kannagi |title=Sony Sports to broadcast Australian Open 2021 from February 8 |url=https://dreamdth.com/sony-sports-to-broadcast-australian-open-2021-from-february-8/ |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=dreamdth.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[US Open (tennis)|US Open]]
* [[French Open]]

===Cricket===
* [[England Cricket]] 2018-28
* [[Sri Lanka Cricket]] 2022-27
* [[Pakistan Cricket Board]] 2022-23
* [[Pakistan Super League]]
* [[T20 Blast]]
* [[The Hundred (cricket)|The Hundred]]

===Football===
====National teams====

*[[FIFA World Cup qualification]] - [[UEFA]]
* [[UEFA European Championship]]
* [[UEFA European Championship qualifying]]
* [[UEFA Nations League]]
* [[Copa América]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Copa America deal expands Sony Pictures Networks India's soccer portfolio - SportsPro Media|url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/copa-america-tv-rights-sony-pictures-networks-india|access-date=2021-08-19|website=www.sportspromedia.com|date=21 April 2021}}</ref>
* International friendlies -[[UEFA]]
* [[CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions]]

====Clubs====
* [[UEFA Champions League]]
* [[UEFA Europa League]]
* [[UEFA Conference League]]
* [[UEFA Super Cup]]
* [[Super Cup (India)|Super Cup]]
* [[Bundesliga]]
* [[DFB-Pokal]]
* [[DFL-Supercup]]
* [[FA Cup]]
* [[FA Community Shield]]
* [[Indian Super Cup]]
* [[Durand Cup]]

===Mixed martial arts===
* [[UFC]]

===Professional wrestling===
* [[WWE]] (2002-52)

===Volleyball===
* [[Prime Volleyball League]]
===Multi Sport Event===
* [[Asian Games]]

== Footnotes ==
{{Reflist| group=note}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Sony}}

[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2002]]
[[Category:Television stations in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Sony Pictures Networks India]]
[[Category:2017 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:2002 establishments in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Sports television networks in India]]
[[Category:Culver Max Entertainment]]

Sony Sports Network - Revision history

NWIMuoi623534 at 09:04, 16 March 2026

59.88.27.133: /* Clubs */

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article