About Webinar

Ever since the dreaded SarsCov2 virus popped up globally, infecting many, instilling fear in all, and killing some, it has put paid to most live sports worldwide. Social distancing meant that athletes and players could not get on the greens, and audiences in the stadiums. That meant no live sports got on to sports TV, which innovated and showed reruns or studio programming.

But with countries opening up sports being gradually allowed, football taking the lead in the shape of La Ligua, the Bundesliga, the Premier League,  English cricket, the NBA and the MLB live sports has made a roaring  comeback., albeit with no or limited stadium or playing arena attendance. And in homes the  televised matches attracted larger audiences then ever seen before, even pre-Covid.

Live televised sport is the big escape, entertainer, the big glue, the  unifier for audiences who are  otherwise engaged with the daily drudgery of life.  India’s most premium sporting property – the Indian Premier League is slated to be flagged off come 19 September 2020.  Expectations are that the event, which was called off in thick of the covid crisis, will draw higher viewership than ever despite it being held in the UAE and with controlled stadium attendance or none at all.

Disney + Star India CEO betted big when he agreed to pay  more Rs 16,000 plus crore for the rights to the tournament for five years. The first two years have seen the broadcaster innovate and stay on course as far as its earnings guidance was concerned. It was expected to heap a rich roster of sponsors and advertising partners this year, when the pandemic halted everything.

Will the IPL end up being the trigger which will help kickstart ad spends and the economy? Will it be able to recoup its investment now that it is being held in the festival season? Will advertisers back it to the extent it deserves? Will the masses tune in? What innovations  in terms of content, programming, and technology can Disney Star bring in which will keep the viewers engaged?  What direction do we have for the other live sports and leagues going forward if the novel coronavirus continues its deadly spread unchecked? What does it mean for brands, advertisers who are reliant on tentpole properties for their brand communications?   What does it mean for the teams and players who play in these sports? The businesses which are involved in them? The associations etc? How the IPL fares could well set the tone how the Indian economy fares going forward and how other sports properties will be treated? Will streaming consumption of the sport attain new heights? How can brands and agencies take advantage of digital consumption?  Which sports will see further offtake? Will subscription revenues kick in for both TV and OTT?

These and many other questions will be answered at Indiantelevision.com’s Live sports virtual round-table: Going Live Again!

About The Panelists

1. Amin Lakhani,Chief Operating Officer | MINDSHARE SOUTH ASIA
2. Ashish Bhasin, CEO APAC & Chairman India | DENSTU AEGIS NETWORK
3. Atit Mehta,Head of Marketing | THINK & LEARN PVT. LTD. (BYJU'S)
4. Pawan Sarda ,Group CMO (Marketing, Digital & E-commerce) | FUTURE GROUP
5. Shashi Sinha,Chief Executive Officer – India | IPG MEDIABRANDS
6. Vinit Karnik,Business Head (Entertainment, Sports & Live Events) | GroupM INDIA
7. MODERATOR :- Anil Wanvari,Founder, CEO & Editor-in-Chief | IndianTelevision.com Group

For key take aways, click below:

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