India-South Africa Cricket Series To Bring In $19M For Ten Sports Channel

Zee Entertainment Enterprises' sports channel Ten Sports "is targeting ad revenues to the tune of" Rs 120 crore ($19M) for the upcoming India-South Africa series to be held in South Africa, according to Urvi Malvania of the Indian BUSINESS STANDARD. The series kicks off on Thursday and comprises three one-day int'l (ODI) matches "and two Test matches." The broadcaster has 12 associate sponsors and co-presenters and "is looking at signing at least three more deals before the series starts." Apart from this, Ten Sports "has also seen rapid sale of inventory for spot placements as well." Ten Sports CEO Rajesh Sethi said, "We have seen a very keen interest from advertisers in the series. It has taken us by surprise. We have already sold nearly 90 percent of our inventory and of that, 60 percent has been taken by sponsors and co-presenters." The broadcaster has also roped in sponsors for the studio show "that will precede and follow the live telecast of the game." Reverse osmosis water purifier Kent "is the title sponsor for the studio show" and electronic goods producer iBall is the co-presenting sponsor. For the main event, "the co-presenter is mobile handset company Micromax." The associate sponsors include Vodafone, Xolo, Tata Motors, mobile app We Chat, Go Daddy, Havells, Daiki and ITC (BUSINESS STANDARD, 12/2).