iWorld
Sony LIV to stream the Australian Open
Mumbai: Sony LIV has always been the one-stop destination for Tennis in India, the home for the major grand slams, and the place where lovers of the game unite. Tennis has been steadily gaining traction in the country, evolving into a hotspot for ardent admirers. Sony LIV once again is all set to bring excitement to the Indian Tennis community with the Grand Slam extravaganza – the Australian Open, fondly known as the ‘happy slam’, promising an exhilarating start to the year for fans.
The platform has partnered with Hyundai Motor India as the co-presenting and highlights sponsor, while Tourism Australia and ACKO joined as the co-presenting and partner sponsor respectively. Hyundai Motor India traditionally focused on TV advertising, has made its first foray into the digital arena, marking a notable shift towards the digital space for premium properties. The immense enthusiasm for the Australian Open in India has propelled Sony LIV to secure impactful partnerships with leading brands, resulting in these productive deals.
Being home to numerous international tournaments, Sony LIV has been instrumental in fostering a significant surge in viewership by providing fans access to the game on the go. 24 grand slam winner Novak Djokovic has now become a household name in the nation as he is set to illuminate the Melbourne Park. Nevertheless, he will encounter fierce competition from the rapidly emerging 20-year-old sensation, Carlos Alcaraz, who is swiftly making his mark in the world of tennis. This is not all, after a long three-year wait, India’s top-ranked Sumit Nagal’s notable inclusion in the Australian Open will promise more action and thrill to the Indian Audiences.
Will Coco Gauff script another fairy tale run to a major final? Could Iga Swiatek kickstart 2024 with a bang? Or will Aryna Sabalenka successfully defend her title? Sony LIV promises to bring you all breathtaking and edge-of-the-seat competition for a span of two weeks. With Djokovic, Alcaraz, Sabalenka, Swiatek, Sumit Nagal and numerous other players gracing the court, the platform invites fans across the country to hop in and indulge in their passion for the sport they love.
Sony LIV head ad revenue Ranjana Mangla:
We are excited to present the inaugural Grand Slam event of the year, the Australian Open, on Sony LIV, setting the stage for a year filled with enthusiasm. Our commitment is unwavering as we strive to engage with the Indian Tennis community, streaming a bouquet of prestigious tournaments, including the Australian Open, Roland Garros, US Open, Davis Cup, Laver Cup, and more. We gratefully acknowledge the ongoing support of our sponsors—some renewing their partnerships, while others join us for the first time. Each sponsor shares our passion for sports and is eager to connect with our affluent subscriber base, solidifying us as a strategic choice for their communications.
Hyundai Motor India AVP & vertical head, marketing Virat Khullar:
This collaboration between Sony LIV & Hyundai states a joint dedication to excellence and performance, reaching out to affluent audiences. Hyundai recognizes the potency of the digital realm and has seen a significant shift among consumers towards digital content consumption. Hyundai has been actively engaging with premium sports content on digital, acknowledging the influence of such content in capturing the right TG. The inclusion of Australian Open in Hyundai’s scheme of things is to convey powerful brand story to cord-cutters who are interested in premium sport like tennis.
Catch the Australian Open streaming live only on Sony LIV!
iWorld
Banijay Asia’s The 50 tops OTT charts with 8.1 million JioHotstar views
Reality competition becomes most watched show on JioHotstar in debut week.
MUMBAI: Fifty contestants walked into a palace, but millions of viewers showed up for the drama. Reality competition The 50, produced by Banijay Asia, has emerged as the most watched show on JioHotstar, clocking 8.1 million views in its debut week. The figure, reported by Ormax Media, places the show at the top of the OTT viewership charts and marks a strong opening for the digital reality format.
Adapted from a popular French format, The 50 brings together 50 personalities from television, digital platforms, music and reality shows inside a grand palace setting. Over the course of a 50 day competition, participants form alliances, compete in unpredictable tasks and navigate eliminations as the field steadily narrows.
Guiding the game is a mysterious figure known as The Lion, an unseen game master whose voice introduces twists, challenges and strategic turns throughout the show, adding an extra layer of suspense to the contest.
What distinguishes The 50 from typical reality competitions is its audience driven prize structure. Instead of the winner taking home the final reward, the prize is awarded to one of the winner’s registered followers through the show’s dedicated app. The mechanism effectively turns viewers into participants, allowing fans to have a direct stake in the outcome.
The contestant lineup features a mix of television actors, reality stars and digital creators, including Karan Patel, Urvashi Dholakia, Divya Agarwal, Mr Faisu and Dushyant Kukreja, each bringing their own fan following to the show.
With its blend of celebrity personalities, strategic gameplay and interactive viewer participation, The 50 has quickly carved out a strong foothold in India’s digital entertainment landscape. Its 8.1 million views in the opening week underline the growing appetite for large scale reality formats designed specifically for OTT audiences.
