Viacom 18 Secures Media Rights for BCCI’s Home International Games

Viacom 18 secures BCCI’s media rights for home international games, digital & TV, at INR 67.8 crore per game, a 12% premium. Total Rs 5963 crore over 5 years, commencing with Australia ODI series.

In a major development that has set the cricketing and broadcasting worlds abuzz, Viacom 18 has successfully clinched the media rights for the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) home international games. The newcomer, known for its live broadcasts on the Jio Cinema platform and Sports 18 television channel, has pulled off a coup by securing both digital and television rights, with a staggering bid of INR 67.8 crore per game.

This eye-popping figure marks a significant step up from the previous cycle’s value, surpassing it by approximately Rs 7.8 crore per game. The successful bid not only meets the BCCI’s stipulated condition of exceeding an overall value of Rs 60 crore but also showcases Viacom 18’s commitment to bringing the best of cricket to the Indian audience. The deal has been estimated to contribute a grand total of Rs 5963 crore over the span of five years.

Breaking down the numbers, the television rights alone make up Rs 32.5 crore per game, while the digital rights are valued at Rs 35.3 crore per game. This cumulative amount reaches the impressive INR 67.8 crore per game. Over the five-year period, the television rights are expected to amass Rs 2860 crore, and when combined with the digital rights and global broadcasting rights, the total reaches Rs 3106.4 crore.

The agreement between Viacom 18 and BCCI covers a total of 88 games spanning a five-year term, set to conclude in March 2028. The cricketing extravaganza will kick off with a thrilling three-match ODI series against Australia at the end of September, marking the beginning of this exciting partnership.

This isn’t Viacom 18’s first win in the BCCI arena. The media giant had previously secured the digital rights for the Indian Premier League (IPL) and secured broadcasting rights for both linear and digital formats of the Women’s Premier League (WPL).

In light of this monumental achievement, the BCCI Secretary expressed his elation and optimism for the future, stating, “Congratulations @viacom18 for winning the @BCC Media Rights for both linear and digital for the next 5 years. India Cricket will continue to grow in both spaces as after @IPL, and @wplt20, we extend the partnership @BCCI Media Rights as well. Together we will continue to capture the imagination of cricket fans.”

He also took the opportunity to extend his gratitude to the outgoing broadcaster, Star India, for their invaluable support in bringing Indian cricket to fans worldwide.

The final bid of INR 67.8 crore per game signifies a mere 12 percent premium over the previous rate, indicating a well-considered and balanced valuation. Alternatively, viewed against last year’s media rights valuation of Rs 78 crore, the new figure represents a slight decrease. Looking at the bigger picture, when the combined base price of both packages is taken into account, the ultimate value showcases an impressive 50 percent surge over the reserved benchmark.

With the media rights landscape evolving rapidly, this deal underscores the ever-growing popularity and significance of cricket in India and the pivotal role played by broadcasting partners in bringing this cherished sport to the masses. Out of the 88 games covered by the media rights deal, 25 are Test matches, 27 are ODIs, and 36 are T20Is, promising a diverse range of cricketing action for fans to enjoy over the next five years.

Keep visiting Cricket Ganga for Cricket News and articles. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for regular updates.