IPL 2023: Viacom18, the holders of the digital rights of the Indian Premier League 2023 (IPL 2023), has signed 13 streaming sponsors for the T20 league. It is further significant that the MS Dhoni-backed media house will make all of the tournament matches available to all internet customers for free viewing via the JioCinema app. In contrast, the former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli-backed Star Sports have roped in 11 sponsors so far for TV broadcasting as per reports. Follow Indian Premier League Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
But the comparison between Star and JioCinema falls short when we look at the money that these two broadcasting giants are charging. InsideSport understands that comparing sponsors of two (Star and Jio) is like comparing apples to oranges. The ad rate on Star is at least 5-6 times higher than what Vicom18 is charging for JioCinema.
WATCH MS Dhoni starring JioCinema promo here
Get CLOSER to #TATAIPL action than ever before.
Watch #IPLOnJioCinema in 4K and in multiple languages – FREE for all telecom operators! #TATAIPL2023 @msdhoni @JioCinema https://t.co/3jvTPb4PJn— Viacom18 (@viacom18) March 17, 2023
The sponsors are Parle, Dream11, TVS, Puma, ET Money, Mondelez, Kamla Pasand, Pepsi, and ITC, according to the sources of Best Media Info.
In addition to these, the media giants have negotiated sponsorship agreements with companies in a variety of industries, including e-commerce, four-wheelers, consumer electronics, and auto accessories.
Viacom18 have also enlisted a number of spot purchasers in addition to sponsors.
Ahead of IPL 2023, Viacom also roped in MS Dhoni as their face while Star Sports got hold of Virat Kohli among several other stars.
IPL 2023: PCB chairman Najam Sethi makes Shocking claim, says PSL Digital rating better than Indian Premier League: Check Out
For the Women’s Premier League’s inaugural season, Viacom18 had already signed up Tata Motors, Tata Capital, Hero Vida, Bank of Baroda, MPL Striker, World Gold Council, H&M, JSW Paints, Noise, and Apar Industries as sponsors.
Virat Kohli-backed STAR Sports lacking behind Viacom18 for IPL 2023 sponsors
In contrast, Disney Star, the owner of the TV broadcast media rights, has already secured 11 sponsors and almost 55 brands before the IPL.
Watch Star Sports ad with Virat Kohli here:
Aaye hai @imvKohli aur saath hai Shor Squad 🔊 🔊. Toh jab aap TV par dekhoge #TATAIPL2023, har ghar banega stadium!!
Watch TATA IPL LIVE on the Star Sports Network, starting 31st March.#IPLonStar #BetterTogether #ShorOn #GameOn pic.twitter.com/LPvAXsTB5n
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 17, 2023
Some of the major sponsors, per sources, are Vivo, Airtel, Coke, Asian Paints, Pepsi, Tata, and Dream 11. The 55 new advertisers mostly come from industries like fantasy gaming, beverages, telecom, fintech, insurance, automobiles, online delivery, consumer durables, paints, FMCG, and travel.
Disney Star previously announced plans to broadcast 12 IPL games on its free-to-air (FTA) channel Star Utsav Movies for free in 2023.