BENGALURU: Sony Six and Sony Kix, sports entertainment channels of Multi Screen Media (MSM), are keen to invest in hockey properties as and when opportunities arise, its Business Head Prasanna Krishnan said today.
"Personally I like hockey a lot. I have looked at it also. But at this point of time, the reality is hockey rights are locked with my competitors who have already invested in that sport. As and when the opportunity arises I will definitely look at it," Krishnan told PTI after the announcement of Sony Six-TNA Wrestling tie-up for India's first ever live televised wrestling event.
Krishnan said he hunts for right opportunities to foray into sports, which he did by investing in many football properties as the channel found opportunities with the increase of viewership coming from non-cricketing sports.
"My personal belief is that look for right opportunity, go ahead and invest substantially and try to create a mark for yourself in that sport and work accordingly.
"We did that in football because we found an opportunity to be able to collate various international leagues including FIFA World Cup 2014 and UEFA Euro - everything," he said.
Sony Six has acquired more football properties, which has seen Multi Screen Media, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation which owns and operates Sony Entertainment network of television channels, launching a second channel - Sony Kix - which is largely dedicated to football.
Asked how the channel is planning to help build a momentum for U-17 World Cup in 2017, Krishnan said he is helping All India Football Federation to take the message before the larger audience by through broadcasting.
Asked whether Sony Six would reinvest in IPL with all controversies surrounding the league, Krishnan said he would like to connect it with the people, especially after the tournament turned out to be the higest-rated IPLs in last five years.
"Last year's IPL in fact was the highest-rated IPL in the last five years. They were passionate about the product. So, the reality is - IPL is an extremely popular product with fans. In this backdrop, my job is to connect IPL with fans accordingly," he said.
"Yes, here are problems, the Board and the Supreme Court are looking into them," Krishnan added.