• Loading stock data...
Monday, February 10, 2025

IPL Season Begins As Disney, Viacom18 Battle For Massive Market

  • In June, Viacom18 won the streaming rights to IPL by beating out Disney.
  • Viacom18’s JioCinema will stream IPL matches entirely for free.
IPL team captains pose together before the start of the 2023-24 season
IPL

The Indian Premier League — the world’s most lucrative cricket league — begins its first full- fledged season since 2019, and its media rights holders are battling for a massive domestic media market.

In June, Viacom18 — a joint venture between Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, Paramount, and investment group Bodhi Tree Systems — won the streaming rights to IPL by beating out Disney with a reported five-year, $2.6 billion contract at auction.

Disney didn’t come away empty-handed, taking home the traditional TV rights for a reported $3 billion. But Viacom18 is planning an “all-out assault on TV” for the IPL season, according to the Financial Times.

Viacom18 Secures ‘Historic’ Rights Deal for Women’s Cricket

Another major media company has invested in cricket.
January 17, 2023

It starts with its streaming service JioCinema, which is planning to show IPL matches entirely for free, relying only on advertising for revenue. It wants to make JioCinema “the default destination for most people,” as it pertains to cricket.

Disney will use its Star TV network to broadcast games — but it stands to lose as many as 20 million subscribers from its Disney+ Hotstar streaming service now that it has lost the digital streaming rights, per Media Partners Asia.

The race to land viewers is very important to these media conglomerates — but, at least for this season, it will likely come at a steep cost.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Super Bowl LIX Defies Trends, Sets U.S. TV Viewership Record

The Eagles’ emphatic title win makes U.S. television history.
Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) looks to pass the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field.

NFL’s Aggressive Flex Scheduling Expected to Reshape 2025 Lineup

Next season’s schedule could include more flexible windows.

Eagles Laid Super Bowl Blueprint, but the Bill Is Coming Soon

Zack Baun and Josh Sweat will be free agents this offseason.
Nov 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; General view of the inside bowl of Lincoln Financial Field before a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Will Eagles’ Super Bowl Win Spark New Stadium Talks in South Philly?

The Super Bowl champions are considering various facility options.

Featured Today

Brady and Mahomes

Chiefs Fatigue Is Real. It’s Nowhere Near Patriots Hate Yet

People who have covered both teams say the difference is stark.
Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley (26) after the Eagles defeat the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium.
February 7, 2025

How the Eagles Reinvented Championship Roster Construction

Philadelphia is one of the most innovative franchises in the NFL.
February 3, 2025

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kristin Juszczyk, wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44), before a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium.
February 1, 2025

The New WAGs: Sports Wives Building Business Empires

Athletes’ wives and girlfriends are bucking stereotypes and cashing in.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Fox Sports NFL Sunday analyst Michael Strahan (left) and Fox Sports NFL Sunday analyst Jimmie Johnson (right) react before Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome.

Jimmy Johnson Stops Short of Retirement After Fox Sports Tribute

Fox ran a tribute to Jimmy Johnson’s career during the Super Bowl pregame.
exclusive
February 8, 2025

5 Big Sound Bites From Radio Row at Super Bowl LIX

Straight shooting from Greg Olsen, Chiefs and 49ers team execs, and others.
February 9, 2025

Fox Sports Debuts Controversial Score Bug for Super Bowl LIX

Reviews on social media were mostly negative as sports fans are resistant to change.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
February 7, 2025

Jameis Winston Eyes NFL Return, but Keeps Door Open for Potential TV..

Jameis Winston played for the Browns last season.
February 7, 2025

ESPN Faces Potential Exit from MLB Media Rights As Opt-Out Looms

A 35-year rights relationship now faces a very different media landscape.
Nov 23, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Lewis Hamilton (44) leads Oracle Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (1) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Circuit.
February 7, 2025

Netflix Exploring Bid for Formula One Rights in U.S. Starting 2026

ESPN holds the rights to F1 through 2025.
February 7, 2025

How Much Longer Can Fox Sports Keep the Top-Rated Pregame Crew Together?

The three have been at Fox NFL Sunday since 1994.