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In a groundbreaking development, Viacom18, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, has emerged as the exclusive media rights holder for a wide array of cricket tournaments organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This monumental agreement, spanning from September 2023 to March 2028, comes with a substantial cumulative price tag of Rs 5,963 crore.
The Journey to Victory
The road to this historic achievement commenced when the BCCI issued an Invitation to Tender (ITT). Following this, an e-auction was conducted on August 31, 2023, which welcomed the participation of all eligible bidders. In a highly competitive process, Viacom18 secured the coveted Media Rights.
Unveiling the Financials
The media rights tender, presented by the governing body, encompassed a five-year period, spanning from 2023 to 2028, and included a total of 88 cricket matches. The base price for each match was set at an impressive Rs 45 crore, resulting in an overall base price of Rs 3,960 crore for the entire duration.
A Win for Cricket Enthusiasts
Viacom18's triumph in securing exclusive media rights is a significant win for cricket enthusiasts across India and beyond. This victory promises to enhance the cricket-watching experience, providing comprehensive coverage of both international and domestic matches.
A Milestone Deal
This accomplishment underscores Viacom18's unwavering commitment to delivering top-tier sports content. It also marks a pivotal moment in the world of sports media rights, highlighting the enduring appeal of cricket in India and the rising significance of media rights in the sports industry.
A Glimpse of the Future
Looking forward to the period between September 2023 and March 2028, cricket aficionados can anticipate a five-year journey filled with exhilarating moments, fierce competition, and unforgettable memories, all brought to them through Viacom18's exclusive coverage.
Expanding the Portfolio
In addition to the rights secured, Viacom18 will also have access to tournaments such as International Men's and Women's matches, as well as prestigious domestic first-class competitions including the Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Deodhar Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, among others.
Viacom18's media rights portfolio is already impressive, including tournaments like the TATA IPL, TATA WPL, Olympics 2024, SA20, Major League Cricket (MLC), Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), NBA, Diamond League, World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, MotoGP, LALIGA, Ligue1, Serie A, BGIS (E-Sports), Abu Dhabi T10, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and top BWF events.
A Look Back
In the previous BCCI bid in 2018, Star Sports India had outbid Viacom18 and Sony to secure media rights for both television and digital platforms for a total of Rs 6138.1 crore. These rights covered the period from 2018 to 2023.
With this latest win, Viacom18 is poised to make a significant impact on the world of cricket broadcasting and provide cricket fans with an unparalleled viewing experience. The future of cricket looks brighter than ever, and we are excited to be a part of this journey.
