Asianet to air Brazilian Football League in Kerala

The football crazy state of Kerala will from now on be able to watch matches from the Brazilian Football League after a deal was struck between local television network Asianet and the leagues global distributors Globo TV Sports, which was facilitated by Total Sports Asia. Asianet will be showing matches and highlights on its channels, Rosebowl and Asianet Cable Vision (ACV).

The deal brings the Brazilian Football League, distributed by Globo TV Sports and Total Sports Asia, to the second state in India after a similar deal had been struck with the Mahua Group for West Bengal two months ago.

Asianet Satellite Communications president Sankaranarayana said, "Football is close to every Keralite and Brazil being synonymous with football in Indian minds, it was imperative for us to have the league made available to our audience. Every time Brazil plays in the World Cup, Kerala goes crazy; we intend to recreate that spirit over an entire season. For a league that is just about entering the Indian market, we are expecting a great response from the audience thanks to the popularity of last year's FIFA World Cup and the buzz surrounding the next World Cup in Brazil."

Total Sports Asia MD South Asia Suvrangsu Mukherjee said, "After the league's success in West Bengal, it was only a matter of time before the rest of the country took notice. Kerala is right up there with West Bengal when it comes to passion for football and it's only natural that the league be made available here. It's a part of TSA's long-term initiative to take sports to the least common denominator in their local languages. Rosebowl and ACV are amongst the most popular channels in Kerala and provide a terrific platform to reach out to the audience. It's a unique initiative in that football is being offered to the audience in their own language, creating an instant connect."

Following in the footsteps of the English Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A, the Brazilian Football League will hope to captivate viewers with its exciting brand of football. The trickery, the dribbling, the passing, the rhythmic flow, all these factors make the Brazilian Football League a treat to watch. To add to this excitement, an average of three goals per match is scored.

The Brazilian Football League boasts of teams like Sao Paulo, Santos, Flamengo, Gremio, Corinthians, Internacional, Cruizero, etc. A number of leading footballers like Neymar, Ronaldinho, and many more ply their trade in the Brazilian Football League, while many future stars play in the league.

But for me a question remains which I had already asked in connection with Bengal. With another league set to be aired into Keralite homes how will it help in the growth of football in India? Surely Malayalis like Bengalis have a special fascination for Brazilian and Argentinian football, but local football is set to take another hit.


Here the link to Mahua's bengali channels to air Brazilian Football League

Mahua's bengali channels to air Brazilian Football League

The Mahua Group has understood that in Bengal you can gain viewership and good TRP's with football. The groups latest acquisition are the regional Indian telecast rights of the Brazilian Football League from sports marketing company Total Sports Asia.

The deal brings the Brazilian Football League, distributed by Globo TV Sports and Total Sports Asia, to India for the first time. The Brazilian league will be aired on Mahuaa Bangla (Bengali general entertainment channel) and Mahuaa Khobor (Bengali news channel).

Mahuaa Media CEO Yubaraj Bhattacharya said, "This is a milestone in Mahuaa's long-term plans to expand football viewership in West Bengal. We believe 'Brasileirao 2011' will draw massive interest from the football fans around the state, as a flagship event of magical Brazilian football. This demonstrates our commitment to support major football events in West Bengal ever since the inception of the channel."

Total Sports Asia MD South Asia Suvrangsu Mukherjee said, "TSA has in the past partnered with leading broadcasters in the country to broadcast the World Cup and European Cup qualifiers of the Italian and Spanish national teams and other leading football events like the Copa Libertadores. The Brazilian Football League increases our football offering for broadcasters in India and we're trying our best to maximize coverage so that world class football reaches out to the length and breadth of the country."

Brazilian Football League's current season kicked-off on May 21 and will run until the last week of December. Two games per week - Saturdays & Sundays - will be broadcasted along with the 30 minutes weekly highlights show 'Footbrazil'. The show covers Brazilian football exclusively and includes, behind the scenes, training, exclusive interviews, goals of the round, player profiles and other curiosities.

Following in the footsteps of the English Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A, the Brazilian Football League will hope to captivate viewers with its exciting brand of football. The trickery, the dribbling, the passing, the rhythmic flow, all these factors make the Brazilian Football League a treat to watch. To add to this excitement, an average of three goals per match is scored.

The Brazilian Football League boasts of teams like Sao Paulo, Santos, Flamengo, Gremio, Corinthians, Internacional, Cruizero, etc. A number of leading footballers like Neymar, Ronaldinho, and many more ply their trade in the Brazilian Football League, while many future stars play in the league.

But for me a question remains. With another league set to be aired into Bengali homes how will it help in the growth of football in India? Surely Bengalis have a special fascination for Brazilian and Argentinian football, but local football is set to take another hit.