Director of Reliance Industries Ltd. Nita Ambani said that they have a ‘Mission to take IPL to cricket fans in every part of the world’
Our Bureau
Mumbai
The IPL TV and digital rights for the 2023-2027 cycle have been sold to Star India and Viacom18 respectively for a whopping Rs 48,390 crore for 410 matches at e-auctions on Tuesday. IPL is now the second most valued sporting league in the world in terms of per match value.
“Since its inception, the IPL has been synonymous with growth and today is a red-letter day for India Cricket, with Brand IPL touching a new high with e-auction resulting in INR 48,390 cr value. IPL is now the 2nd most valued sporting league in the world in terms of per match value!,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah tweeted.
The Package A (of TV) has been sold to Star India at Rs 23,575 crore which is Rs 57.5 crore per match and Package B of Digital Rights as well as Package C for selected 18 games in digital space for India each season has been sold to Viacom-18 at Rs 23,758. Reliance-owned Viacom-18 also won Australia, South Africa and United Kingdom rights. Times have got MENA (Middle East North Africa) and the United States and the Rest of the World Rights.
“I am thrilled to announce that STAR INDIA wins India TV rights with their bid of Rs 23,575 crores. The bid is a direct testimony to the BCCI’s organizational capabilities despite two pandemic years,”Jay Shah said.
“Viacom18 bags digital rights with its winning bid of Rs 23,758 cr. India has seen a digital revolution and the sector has endless potential. The digital landscape has changed the way cricket is watched. It has been a big factor in the growth of the game and the Digital India vision,” he added.
The media rights value has grown more than two-and-a-half times than what Star India paid in the year 2017.
Following the conclusion of the IPL media rights auction 2022, Director of Reliance Industries Ltd. Nita Ambani said that they have a ‘Mission to take IPL to cricket fans in every part of the world.’
“Sports entertain us, inspire us and bring us together. Cricket and IPL personify the best of sport and the best of India, which is why we are proud to be deepening our association with this great game and this wonderful league. Just like with everything we do, our mission is to take the joyful experience of IPL to cricket fans wherever they are – in every part of our country and around the world”, said Nita Ambani according to an official Viacom18 release on Wednesday.
Viacom18 outbid reputed broadcasters and digital companies to establish itself as a leading digital media, entertainment and sports destination. With its wide reach, strategic tie-ups and increasingly popular content bouquet, the digital platforms of Viacom18 are gearing up for leadership in India as well as with the Indian diaspora globally.
Viacom18 has demonstrated that it is building the digital platforms of the future while continuing to strengthen traditional television broadcasting. It has state-of-the-art digital expertise to provide the best possible user experience to hundreds of millions of Indian and global consumers.
Meanwhile, NP Singh, MD and CEO, Sony Pictures Networks India said that the company made a reasonable bid for the Indian Premier League (IPL) media rights, considering all the expected returns. Sony Sports Network will still broadcast over 1800 hours of cricket this year including India’s tour of England as well as popular T20I tournaments like the Big Bash League, Pakistan Super League, Women’s Big Bash League and more.
IPL is now the second most valued sporting league in the world in terms of per match value. “We chose not to proceed with the digital rights given the price required to secure that package. IPL is an important component of our portfolio of television channels in India, providing an incredible opportunity for us to showcase The Walt Disney Company’s powerful global brands and iconic storytelling, as well as Disney Star’s impressive collection of local original content, to millions of viewers in India,” said Rebecca Campbell, Chairman, International Content and Operations, The Walt Disney Company in a statement.
“Disney+ Hotstar has changed the way Indians watch their entertainment – from favorite locally produced original TV shows, to global blockbuster films, and popular sporting events. Last year, Disney+ Hotstar was home to seven of the Top Ten Hindi SVOD entertainment series in India, and we currently have more than 100 local original titles in our content pipeline — with over 80 local originals slated to premiere this fiscal year,” added the statement.
