MEDIA RIGHTS

Viacom18, a TV and streaming group backed by billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani, has secured Indian media rights for field hockey from the International Hockey Federation (FIH). The agreement runs for a four-year cycle (2023-2027) and includes all FIH events, except the FIH Nations Cup. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The upcoming FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers, the first ever FIH Hockey5s World Cup, the FIH Hockey Pro League and the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, among other tournaments, will be available on streaming platform JioCinema and Viacom18’s linear channels Network Sports18.

While cricket remains the most popular sport in India, with Viacom18 paying $3 billion in 2022 for digital rights to the Indian Premier League, field hockey also enjoys much support.

Viacom18 Sports head of strategy, partnerships and acquisitions Hursh Shrivastava said: “Hockey has been one of the most loved, followed and storied sports in India. The recent success of the Indian men’s and women’s national team bodes well for the continuous growth of hockey, and we are excited to bring unbridled access to millions of sports fans in India.”

FIH president Tayyab Ikram added: “As we’re enhancing our commercial and broadcast approach, this agreement with Viacom18 is a major step forward. It’s a great support to be partnering with such a strong broadcaster in a country where hockey is so fundamentally and historically anchored, and where we continuously want to develop the game.”

RESTRUCTURING

Germany’s Bavaria Fiction is restructuring its development division under the leadership of development executive Thomas Kren, who reports into Marcus Ammon, managing director, content.  The reorganization will expand Kren’s area of responsibility and he will accelerate and coordinate discussions with broadcasters and creatives. Bavaria Fiction will also increasingly develop co-productions and centrally evaluate corresponding material. A subsidiary of Bavaria Film and ZDF Studios, Bavaria Fiction is known for “Dark Woods,” “Der Kaiser,” “Das Boot,” “Arctic Circle” and “Freud.”

IMMERSIVE DIVISION

VFX and animation studio Cinesite has launched a new division, Cinesite Immersive, to work with creative IP owners and brands. Cinesite has entered into a long-term partnership with London-based immersive art experience Frameless Creative. The companies have teamed on two artworks, a Rembrandt seascape and Monet’s “Boat on the Seine near Jeufosse,” both of which have been brought to life by visual effects artists.

Separately, Cinesite is premiering short film “Forsaken,” which follows different stages of the life-cycle of the jellyfish, at Outernet London from Jan. 11. The film is directed by Roland Lane and animated by Cinesite.