Sports
Cricket boards to combat piracy in joint initiative
MUMBAI: In an effort to combat the menace of piracy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has come together with other boards to fight the menace and protect IPR.
Indian Premier League (IPL) CEO Sunder Raman says that a meeting took place a couple of days back in Hyderabad and the board representatives of various countries as well as sports broadcasters have agreed to work together to fight the issue.
“The music industry had also come together and formed a coalition to protect their rights. What we will be doing is similar. Our efforts have the backing of the ICC who wants to do its best to protect the interests of the sport at large. It is not just a question of the IPL being affected. We are looking at the larger picture,” Raman added.
The meeting was attended by David Collier from the English board, Gerald Majola from Cricket South Africa and James Sutherland from Cricket Australia. They have all agreed to help fund the campaign with the BCCI. Representatives from ESPN Star Sports (ESS), Sony and Taj Television were also present.
Raman further says that there are three areas of copyright infringement that the coalition will look to tackle. These are trademark infringment, Internet piracy and footage violation. IPL chairman Lalit Modi had earlier raised the issue of news channels using footage beyond what was allowed.
A sports broadcaster representative says, “Basically the news channels in India take a huge amount of sports channel footage without our permission. Thus is a breach of copyright. In other countries there are regulations in place that govern what news channels do. But here there is nothing – which leads to the current mess.
“The meetings in Hyderabad were about this issue and the need for the sports industry including federations and broadcasters to work together. The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) was invited but they did not come.”
Raman further adds that the boards are looking to work with the Sports Rights Owners Coalition (SROC) to form a legal framework for the different boards. SROC operates as a forum through which sports bodies can share information and experiences. In particular, the purpose of SROC is to enable:
– discussion and sharing of best practice on key legal, political and regulatory issues;
– raising awareness of new developments and innovation in sports rights; and
– sports to take joint action to protect and promote their rights.
Sports
Sony Sports Network to broadcast 10 India cricket series
‘Goonjega India’ campaign brings non-stop Team India action from May 28 to Diwali across TV and Sony LIV.
MUMBAI: Sony Sports Network has just hit a massive six, it’s set to make Indian cricket goonjega louder than ever this season. Under its new campaign ‘Goonjega India’, the network will broadcast an unprecedented 10 major India series from 28 May 2026 right through to Diwali. Nine of them will also stream live on Sony LIV, giving fans wall-to-wall cricket across formats and borders.
The blockbuster calendar kicks off with the India Women’s Tour of England (3 T20Is and 1 Test in May-July), followed by the highly anticipated India Tour of England (5 T20Is and 3 ODIs in July exclusive to Sony Sports Network). The action rolls on with the India Tour of Sri Lanka in August, the India Tour of New Zealand in October-November, and both men’s and women’s T20 competitions at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan (17 September to 3 October). Rounding off the line-up are four key ACC events: the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, Men’s Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026, U19 Men’s Asia Cup 2026 and U19 Women’s Asia Cup 2026.
Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer and business head of sports and international Rajesh Kaul said, “Cricket remains the biggest force in India’s sporting culture, and with Goonjega India, we are bringing fans an extraordinary run of Team India action from May 28 to Diwali. From the Women in Blue’s England tour to the men’s marquee clashes in England, Sri Lanka and New Zealand, alongside the Asian Games and major ACC tournaments, this is one of the most compelling cricket line-ups on Indian television.”
To build excitement, Sony Sports Network has released three high-energy animated films that celebrate the scale, emotion and rivalry of the season from the opening roar on 28 May to the Diwali blockbuster in New Zealand.
From the first ball in England to the final fireworks before Diwali, Indian cricket is about to echo across living rooms like never before. Whether you’re cheering for the Women in Blue, the Men in Blue or the rising U19 stars, Sony Sports Network has made sure there’s barely a day without a reason to shout “India! India!” This season, the calendar isn’t just packed, it’s perfectly pitched.
