India’s return to international cricket against Australia wasn’t smooth sailing, neither for Virat Kohli’s team, nor for the broadcasters at Sony Pictures Sports Network, who provide television and streaming coverage for the tour in India.

Even as the Indian team, wearing their newly-designed retro jersey, struggled to contain Australia in the one-day leg, the focus often shifted to the coverage of the matches on the Sony channels and the SonyLiv app, which has been live-streaming the matches in India. There were complaints aplenty, primarily centred around the barrage of advertisements that have hogged the coverage, sometimes cutting into the main feed abruptly.

Throughout the series, users noticed the broadcast switching to ads almost as soon as the last ball was bowled, and the lack of a proper build-up to the game, abruptly switching to the first delivery of the innings. The criticism wasn’t restricted to just the broadcast; the SonyLiv app was also reportedly replete with glitches, marring the experience of those who had subscribed to their packs to watch the games.

As expected, users took to Twitter to voice their concerns.

https://twitter.com/Nucliomaniac/status/1332166777061588993

 

 

The much-awaited Australia-India series had been embroiled in trouble even before the first game was played, with reports suggesting that Cricket Australia had received a notice from Seven West Media, owners of the Seven Network over a contract dispute. Seven refused to pay US$18.2 million, thereby threatening to derail their six-year deal with CA, which includes the ongoing tour.

Sony Pictures Network, meanwhile, had bagged a six-year deal in 2017, ahead of that year’s Ashes. Indian fans will be hoping that the coverage gets better as the series unfolds, as do India’s on-field performances.

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