We’re just lost for adjectives to describe the new media rights deal that has been signed by the Indian T20 League for the next five years. With over US$ 6.2 billion expected to be shelled out in the next five years via this new media rights deal, it elevates the Indian T20 League as the second wealthiest league in the world behind the NFL.
The per match value of the broadcast deal has jumped by 118% from the previous deal that was signed in 2019. The current deal takes the broadcast cost per match to over 118 crores, this current valuation takes the Indian T20 League ahead of the likes of the Premier League which is the most watched football league in the world.
So where is this exorbitant amount of money coming from? Let’s try to break it down here.
PACKAGE A (INDIAN SUBCONTINENT, TV)
Disney Star has retained the TV rights in the subcontinent for INR 23,575 crore (US$ 3 billion approx.) Broken further, Disney Star will pay INR 57.5 crore (US$ 7.36 million approx.) per match. Disney Star was the sole holder of the right across TV and digital for the Indian subcontinent in the previous cycle having picked up for record money back then. This time, they were able to retain just the TV rights for the Indian subcontinent and let go of the digital rights for the next cycle.
PACKAGE B (INDIAN SUBCONTINENT, DIGITAL)
Reliance-backed Viacom 18 has secured the digital rights for the next cycle of the Indian T20 League for the Indian subcontinent. They were up against a massive bidding war with Disney Star but just pipped the incumbent with a bit of US$ 2.62 billion.
The matches will no longer be streamed on Hotstar as was the case since the 2019 edition. Viacom 18’s Voot application will now officially be the streaming partner for Indian subcontinent users.
PACKAGE C (INDIAN SUBCONTINENT, DIGITAL, SPECIAL MATCHES)
Viacom 18 was also the highest bidder for Package C which gives them rights exclusive rights to stream all Indian T20 League matches on their streaming platform. Package C was reserved for special matches from the season, basically, the playoffs phase and Viacom 18 have managed to secure them as well so fans only need to subscribe to one platform to catch all Indian T20 League matches live. Package C was valued at US$ 417.20 million.
PACKAGE D (REST OF THE WORLD, TV & DIGITAL)
Package D has been shared by two big media conglomerates, Viacom 18 and the Times Internet. Viacom 18 secured digital and TV rights across three global regions, Australia & New Zealand, the United Kingdom and South Africa. The media rights for two other global regions – the Middle East and the United States of America go to Times Internet.
Read: Jos Buttler: MVP of the 2022 Indian T20 League Season
●●●
VISIT OUR BLG TO GET YOUR FIX FOR ALL OF THE MOST CURRENT CRICKET NEWS STORIES & FEATURES
