EDICRIC | Cricket News | Viacom18 Wins Exclusive TV-Digital Rights for BCCI 2023-28
Viacom18 Wins Exclusive TV-Digital Rights for BCCI 2023-28
The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) has declared the winners of the media rights auction for the years 2023 to 2028. Viacom18, a partnership between Paramount Global and Reliance Industries, has secured the rights to broadcast India’s matches played at home. They can show the matches on TV and online. The agreement is valued at Rs 5963 crore, which means Rs 67.8 crore for each match.
Viacom18, which possesses TV channels like Colors, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central, and streaming platforms like Voot and JioCinema, outperformed Disney Star and Sony Sports in the bidding event. The bidding was done online, with three companies presenting their offers.
Viacom18 Media Rights Deal
These media rights include a total of 88 matches in the next five years, encompassing all formats – 25 Test matches, 27 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 36 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). The broadcasting period is set to begin in September 2023 and will continue until March 2028.
This is a significant achievement for Viacom18, which has been trying to expand its sports offerings. The company had already acquired rights to broadcast the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Women’s Premier League (WPL) on its platforms. Now, with the inclusion of India’s home cricket matches, Viacom18 will be able to connect with a wide and varied group of cricket enthusiasts across India and beyond.
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah congratulated Viacom18
BCCI’s secretary Jay Shah congratulated Viacom18 for winning the media rights and expressed optimism that cricket in India will continue to prosper in both TV and online spaces. He also expressed gratitude to Disney Star and Sony Sports for their past support and contributions to taking Indian cricket to global audiences.
Indian cricket is among the most valuable media assets globally, and Viacom18 securing these rights reflects its popularity and potential. The company can utilize its channels and platforms to provide comprehensive coverage and engaging content for fans. This deal will also be advantageous for BCCI and the Indian cricket team, as it will bring in substantial revenue and exposure.
The upcoming home series for India is against Australia in September 2023, followed by the ICC ODI World Cup in October-November. Fans can anticipate watching these matches live on Viacom18 platforms, along with other exciting games in the years to come.
