BCCI Media Rights Tender: Exploring the Future of Indian Cricket Broadcasting

BCCI Media Rights Tender: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released the tender for its media rights, signaling a new chapter in Indian cricket broadcasting. With the previous deal with Disney Star expiring, the BCCI is now seeking new stakeholders to broadcast their home games. However, lukewarm interest and changing dynamics in the cricketing landscape have raised questions about the future of media rights in Indian cricket.

Amazon and Alphabet (Google) in the Bidding War

To spike a bidding war, the BCCI is trying to drum up interest from major players like Amazon and Alphabet (Google). With a drop in popularity of ODIs, the board aims to explore new options to secure lucrative deals for broadcasting their matches.

Potential Windfall or Cautious Bidding

In the past, BCCI earned a massive Rs 48,390 Crore from the sale of IPL Media Rights. However, for the new media rights tender, the per-match valuation is expected to be around Rs 61 Crore, a significant fall from BCCI’s initial expectations of Rs 100 Crore. Broadcasters are cautious due to the lesser appeal of bilateral series compared to the IPL.

Highlights of BCCI Media Rights Tender

• The new deal will be for 5 years, similar to the IPL.
• Both digital and TV rights will be separate, reflecting the upward trend in digital consumption.
• The deal is likely to include 100 bilateral matches, with more T20s and fewer ODIs.
• There is likely to be an e-auction instead of a closed bidding process to determine the new stakeholders.

BCCI Media Rights Tender: Exploring the Future of Indian Cricket Broadcasting

Bidding Players in the Fray

Mukesh Ambani’s Viacom18 is expected to aggressively bid for the digital media rights. Sony and Zee, despite their impending merger, are also interested parties. FanCode is another contender for the digital rights.

Star’s Losses and Uncertainty

Previous media rights owner, Star, reported significant losses globally and is currently on a cost-reduction spree. While they are expected to table a bid for the Indian Cricket Team rights, it is unlikely to be extravagant, given their previous losses.

Delay and New Broadcaster

The entire sale process has experienced a two-week delay, adding to the challenges for the BCCI. However, a new broadcaster is expected to come on board for the IND vs. AUS ODI series before the World Cup 2023.

BCCI Media Rights Tender: Exploring the Future of Indian Cricket Broadcasting

As the BCCI media rights tender unfolds, the future of Indian cricket broadcasting hangs in the balance. The board’s efforts to attract major players like Amazon and Google will shape the bidding war, while the digital landscape continues to gain prominence. The outcome of this tender will not only influence the financial aspects of cricket broadcasting but also redefine how Indian cricket reaches its audience in the digital age.

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