• Loading stock data...
Saturday, November 2, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is open through Nov. 6 Learn More

Disney, Viacom18 Secure Coveted IPL Rights

IPL
IPL

The auction for media rights to the Indian Premier League began Sunday, with Viacom18 and Disney among the winners walking away.

Viacom18, a joint venture between Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, Paramount Global, and investment company Bodhi Tree Systems, secured streaming rights to the months-long tournament as part of a five-year, $2.6 billion deal.

The IPL’s TV rights reportedly went to Disney for $3 billion over the next five years.

  • Star India, which Disney acquired in 2019 through its $71.3 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox, paid roughly $2.5 billion for rights from 2017 to 2022.
  • This year’s auction marks the first time the Board of Control for Cricket in India is selling the IPL’s broadcast and streaming rights individually.
  • In 2020, 44% of Indian households watched an IPL match live, totaling 61 billion viewing minutes.

Two packages are left to be sold — TV and digital broadcasting rights outside India and non-exclusive rights for certain matches — and the auction will resume Tuesday.

IPL Appeal

The growing price tag for the IPL’s media rights aligns with its teams’ growing valuations. 

Indian billionaire Sinjiv Goenka bought two teams for $950 million and $750 million last year, expanding the tournament to 10 teams. IPL clubs’ valuations are growing at a faster rate than NFL and NBA teams.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump waves flanked by former Georgia Bulldogs player Herschel Walker, recording art Kid Rock, professional golfer John Daily, Alabama senators Tommy Tuberville (R) and Katie Britt (R) during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Mission Swing State: College Football’s Political Advertising Battle

Trump, Harris, and the PACs that support them are utilizing the sport.
Fubo-TV

Fubo Reports 9% Subscriber Growth As Venu Sports Trial Looms

The sports-focused streamer grew revenue by 21%.

The Untapped Revenue ‘Powder Keg’ of Women’s NFL Fandom

There’s a “boatload” of money at stake for brands and the league.

Adam Silver Defends WNBA Media Deal Being Tied to NBA

The WNBA’s media-rights deal is looped in with the NBA’s.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

First-Ever 12-Team CFP Takes Shape

0:00

Featured Today

Oct 19, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) shakes hands while entering the locker room after a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

NIL Director Is the Trendy New Job in College Sports. But the Role Is Chaos

Athletic departments nationwide are hiring for what’s become their most important position.
FuboTV signage
opinion
October 26, 2024

Fubo’s Fight Against Streaming Giants Feels Futile

Fubo notched a legal win, but subs and stock still slump.
October 25, 2024

Inside The Wall at L.A. Clippers’ New $2B Home

FOS went inside the “contagious” energy at the L.A. Clippers’ Intuit Dome.
Sep 29, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) shoots a three point jump shot over Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) during game one of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center.
October 25, 2024

WNBA Facing 4 Big Business Questions This Offseason

Here’s where the WNBA can consider making upgrades after a historic year.
Adam Schefter

Adam Schefter Uses Same Pirated NFL Clips As Everyone Else

ESPN’s NFL insider posted a video from an illegal stream Thursday night.
October 31, 2024

Comcast’s Olympic Gold: Paris Games Spark Surge in Peacock Subscribers

Company revenue and Peacock subscriptions rise thanks to a big Olympics boost.
October 31, 2024

World Series Delivers 7-Year Ratings Record, Marking MLB’s Big Comeback

Viewership of the five-game win by the Dodgers soared by 74% over last year.
Sponsored

World Series Delivers High-Demand Marquee Matchup

The hype around the World Series matchup drove ticket prices to record levels—but the Dodgers’ dominance quickly quieted the fervor.
October 30, 2024

World Series Game 4 Draws 16.7M Viewers, Up 92% From 2023

The average audience of 16.7 million nearly doubles the comparable figure from last year.
October 30, 2024

Controversy, Championship Battles Keep F1 Viewers Tuned In

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen had a controversial encounter again Sunday.
October 30, 2024

NFL TV Ratings Up and Down in October As Election Draws Near

The NFL took an 8% ratings hit around the 2016 presidential cycle.
October 29, 2024

Baseball Wins the Night: World Series Outdraws ‘Monday Night Football’

MLB gains a rare head-to-head viewership win over the NFL.