‘Missing balls, no pitch report’ – Broadcasters criticised for ‘lousy’ Australia-India coverage
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.
As interest builds for #INDvAUS , surprised that #SonySports has put out amazingly silly promos .Really poor , low quality stuff .
— Amrit Mathur (@AmritMathur1) November 26, 2020
The viewing experience at @SonyLIV has been horrible to say the least. You guys start showing ads in the middle of the over. There were instances today that entire over got skipped just because you guys had more ads to show. Pathetic, just like your commentary panel.
— Aditya Rishi (@rishiaditya29) November 27, 2020
SonyLIV:
1. No Pre Match Analysis
2. No Pitch Report
3. No Toss
4. Ads after a wicket falls without any replay
5. Ads after bowling over is not yet finished
6. No Post Match Analysis
7. Only 2 commentators at one time.The real retro 1990 award has to go to SONYLIV. #INDvsAUS
— Keshav Garg (@cakeshav17) November 27, 2020
Absolutely.
Cricket coverage in India gone downhill.
Star has lost out on post-match coverage
Sony is a farce with their ads taking over the game.
Many series don't get covered.
A dream to have 1network with 8-10 channels (like Sky) &package subscription that can cover everything https://t.co/Rpe448WAQE— Ajay Srinivasan (@Ajaychairman) November 27, 2020
Rubbish coverage of India-Aus 1st ODI by Sony Six. Adverts in the middle of the over. Absolute rubbish. @SonyLIV
— ROCKSTAR PASCOAL (@ohmstanley) November 27, 2020
Sony guys!! @SonyLIV what rotten coverage. No pitch report, build up. Just a blank screen until a ball is bowled. Dont you want ad revenue. Silly on @SonyLIV learn from UK/Australian broadcasters
— Yashovardhan Gupta (@Nucliomaniac) November 27, 2020
SONY TEN – lousy coverage ! Missing balls, unstable camera, missed umpire decisions. Not done…
— Rajat Kulshrestha (@kulmeshrestha) November 29, 2020
The viewing experience at @SonyLIV has been horrible to say the least. You guys start showing ads in the middle of the over. There were instances today that entire over got skipped just because you guys had more ads to show. Pathetic, just like your commentary panel.
— Aditya Rishi (@rishiaditya29) November 27, 2020
The geniuses at @SonyLIV are showing 2nd ODI highlights on loop on APP while toss is done and dusted. #INDvsAUS #BCCI
— Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) December 2, 2020
People who coded the SonyLIV app learnt coding at Whitehat Jr
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) November 29, 2020
Why has @SonyLIV rated Australia vs India ODI 18+ 🤔 pic.twitter.com/4xrUdjIf9T
— King_Drunkard_IV (@KingDrunkard) November 27, 2020
SonyLIV should pay us money for watching their live stream.
— Rajesh (@ePandu) November 27, 2020
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.
