Viacom18 grabs digital and TV rights in BCCI media rights auction

Viacom18 has grabbed the BCCI media rights for bilateral cricket matches to be played in India over the course of the upcoming five years. Disney Star and Sony Sports Network were left chasing in the wake of the Mukesh Ambani-backed broadcast giants. The company is set to pay Rs 67.8 crores for each match that India will feature in. 

Congratulations @viacom18 🤝 for winning the @BCCI 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…

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) August 31, 2023

The rights were sold via an e-auction that the BCCI held on August 31. The Broadcast and Digital packages sold separately were priced at Rs 20 crore and Rs 25 crore per match respectively. Consolidating the response it has received in the recent past on its JioCinema app, Viacom18 upped the ante and purchased both the Digital and TV rights.

The app will handle the live streaming responsibilities while Sports18 will broadcast all of India's domestic and international home games on television. The new cycle of the Indian Cricket team comprises 88 games, including 25 Tests, 27 ODIs, and 36 T20Is. As part of the deal, broadcasters will bag women’s bilateral rights for free. 

BCCI secured deals for the IPL (Indian Premier League) rights for the cycle 2023–27, valued at Rs. 48,390 crore. Included in that were payments of Rs. 23,575 crore (for TV rights) from Disney Star and Rs. 23,757 crore (for exclusive digital rights) from Viacom18.

Although bilateral series have seen a dip in popularity recently, BCCI crossed the Rs 60 crore per game threshold despite setting the base price at Rs 45 crore per game as it had lowered its expectations.