IPL media rights for the Indian market for 2024－2027 go to Disney Star

Previously, in June, Disney Star had paid INR 23,575 crore (or INR 57.5 crore for each match) to keep the IPL TV rights.

The international governing body of the sport said on Saturday that Disney Star had acquired the broadcast rights to all ICC tournaments for the Indian market for a four-year period from 2024 to 2027.

The ICC said in a statement that Disney Star will host all ICC cricket in India for the next four years after winning the TV and digital rights to both men’s and women’s international competitions to the end of 2027. A senior ICC Board member spoke to PTI on the condition of anonymity and said that according to information, Disney Star is paying around USD 3 billion for the rights. The apex body stated that Disney Star was chosen in a single-round sealed bid process, which resulted in a large increase in the rights fee from the previous cycle and continued the remarkable expansion and reach of cricket.

The choice was made after a thorough tender, bid, and review procedure that began in June 2022. They are delighted to continue working with Disney Star as the home of ICC cricket for the next four years. This partnership has produced an outstanding result for our members and will support our ambitious growth plans,” said Greg Barclay, chair of the International Cricket Council. They will be essential to our sport’s future and to reaching and interacting with more people than ever.

After holding off a fierce challenge from Viacom 18, Sony Sports, and Zee Network, Star emerged victorious. With the acquisition of the ICC Digital and TV broadcast rights, Disney Star has further strengthened its status as the leading destination for marquee cricket events in the country, stated K Madhavan, Country Manager and President of Disney Star.

Over the past seven years, Disney Star has been crucial in making ICC matches one of India’s major sporting events and has increased the property’s viewership “across geographies and demographics” in the nation.

He added that the extension of the ICC rights strengthens our position as the go-to location for the best sporting events in the nation. It complements their strong portfolio of cricket properties, which already includes the television rights for the IPL (2023–27), digital rights to Cricket Australia (2024–31), BCCI broadcast rights through 2024, and Cricket South Africa Africa (ending of the 2023–24 season).

In addition to cricket, they also offer Pro Kabbadi League, Indian Super League, and various international rights, including the Wimbledon Championships and the English Premier League, Madhavan said.

For a staggering Rs 57.5 crore (per match) for TV and Rs 50 crore (per match) for digital, the IPL media rights for the 2023–2027 cycle were sold in June. Having a broadcast and digital partner for women’s events in India is a big step toward achieving our goal of accelerating the growth of the women’s game, according to Barclay.

Madhavan stated that Disney Star offered outstanding ideas for the development of women’s cricket, and they clearly share our vision, so he is tremendously delighted by the scale of the possibility ahead. Given the large crowds that cricket routinely draws with more than a billion fans who avidly follow the game worldwide, this was a very competitive process. He appreciates the support and interest shown by all of the bidders in cricket.