• Loading stock data...
Monday, February 17, 2025

Sony-Zee Merger to Bid for IPL Media Rights

IPL/Design: Alex Brooks

Sony’s Indian entertainment group agreed to take a 53% stake in rival Zee Entertainment last week, investing $1.6 billion in the company. The deal has yet to close, but the combined company is reportedly already bidding for Indian Premier League media rights.

Star India bought the league’s rights for $2.6 billion in a five-year deal in 2017. This year, the price is estimated to grow another 25% for rights from 2023-2027.

Facebook, Amazon, Reliance, and Disney — which bought Star for $71 billion in 2019 — are all potential bidders. The Sony-Zee merger would also be a top contender as it stands to become the largest media group in India with control of 27% of the country’s media market, according to Edelweiss.

  • Before Star outbid them in 2017, Sony held Indian Premier League rights for 10 years.
  • In 2016, Sony purchased Ten Sports from Zee in a $385 million deal. Ten held rights to WWE, the UEFA Champions League, and major tennis and golf events.

Vikas Somani, head of mergers and acquisitions at Zee, made it clear that the combined company would be looking for more sports rights. He told Financial Times that “sports is one area which shall be looked upon keenly.” 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India plans to release the IPL’s media rights tender for the 2023-27 cycle in late October.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Dylan Larkin (21) plays the puck and Team Canada forward Nathan MacKinnon (29) defends in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre

NHL Has Huge Ratings Hit With U.S.-Canada 4 Nations Face-Off

The ratings mark a massive hit for the league’s new event.
Formula-1-cars-USA-Grand-Prix

ESPN Reportedly Losing F1 Rights; NBC and Netflix in Talks

The network has broadcast the sport in the U.S. since 2018.
exclusive

Shaquille O’Neal, TNT Agree to Extension Worth Over $15M/Year

Shaq’s Inside the NBA will be licensed to ESPN next season.

YouTube TV Faces CBS Blackout As March Madness, Masters Loom

The carriage dispute threatens viewer access to several major sports events.

Featured Today

Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre.

Inside the Push for the NHL’s Next Era of International Competition

Players have been clamoring, and the league is all in.
Aug 11, 2024; Paris, France; Medals are carried out on Louis Vuitton trays after the women's volleyball gold medal match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at South Paris Arena
February 16, 2025

LVMH’s New Push: World’s Most Powerful Luxury Group Is Coming for Sports

LVMH is making long-term deals—and they’re not done.
Feb 18, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Eastern Conference guard Damian Lillard (0) of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after a play during the second half of the 73rd NBA All Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
February 15, 2025

The NBA’s Latest Attempt To Solve the All-Star Game Conundrum

A new mini-tournament on a lame-duck network may not solve the problem.
Jan 9, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) checks Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the third period at PPG Paints Arena
February 11, 2025

‘Important’ 4 Nations Face-Off Can Be NHL’s All-Star Antidote

“The stars have been lobbying the league for an event like this.”

YouTube TV, Paramount Agree on New Deal

The multiyear distribution agreement resolves an increasingly fractious carriage dispute.
February 13, 2025

YouTube TV, Paramount Reach Temporary Extension to Avoid Blackout

YouTube TV subscribers can breathe a sigh of relief—for now.
Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates with his teammates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre
February 14, 2025

NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Viewership Outstrips ESPN All-Star Games

In Montréal and on their TVs, hockey fans are buying in.
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 13, 2025

Dallas Teams Ditch RSNs for New Models. Will Others Follow?

The Metroplex is a crucible of a broader wave of industry change.
Kanye West
February 13, 2025

Fox Breaks Silence on Kanye Super Bowl Swastika Ad

The ads ran in at least four markets, three operated by Fox.
February 13, 2025

Vice TV Signs BYB Bare Knuckle Boxing Amid Surprising Sports Pivot

Vice Media Group filed for bankruptcy in 2023.
Feb 1, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Pat McAfee and Michael Cole and Wade Barrett celebrate with Jey Uso during the WWE Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium.
February 12, 2025

WWE’s Michael Cole: Pat McAfee Made Work ‘Fun’

Cole is the host of “WWE’s Greatest Moments,” which debuts on A&E this Sunday.