SPT Scores Deals on World Cup Doc

LONDON: Sony Pictures Television’s new football documentary How to Win the FIFA World Cup has clinched deals in numerous territories across Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa.

Produced in partnership with Castrol, the doc includes footage from World Cup tournaments over the past 20 years as well as data from Castrol Performance Analysts about the winning performances of some of the world’s best footballers. SPT licensed the special into the U.K. (ITV4 and STV), Russia (TV Channel Russia 2), Ukraine (ICTV), Portugal (RTP), Holland (RTL7), Turkey (NTV Spor), South Africa (SABC1), Egypt (ERTU), Brazil (Rede TV), Mexico (TV Azteca), Argentina (Telefe), Malaysia (Astro Prima), Vietnam (HTV3) and Korea (TVN). The documentary is scheduled to air prior to or during the World Cup.

"As the build up to the World Cup tournament reaches fever pitch, we are thrilled that this unique piece of clever programming will be enjoyed around the globe," said Mike Morley, chief creative officer and executive VP of international production at SPT. "And, now that we have successfully launched this first installment of our exciting How to Win… brand—a format designed to engage audiences while being a multiplatform vehicle to extend the messaging of super-brands like Castrol—we are actively looking to apply the brand to other popular sports in the months ahead.”

SPT has also sold the format rights to Canada, Honduras, Costa Rica, Columbia, Ecuador, Panama, Turkey and Russia, among other territories. The format can be stripped as a series of talk shows, delivering last-minute advice for national teams to improve their chances of winning the World Cup.