T20 WC 2024 Broadcast: It has just been few days since Disney-Star won the ICC media rights, but things are already moving thick and fast. In latest development, Disney-Star and Zee have reached into a unique sub-license agreement, whereby the latter has attained the TV broadcast rights for ICC men’s and U-19 events. Follow all cricket live updates InsideSport.IN
Disney-Star had won the ICC media right with a bid in excess of three billion. However, when it comes to the Zee signing with Disney Star for the ICC events post 2024, the amount has not been disclosed. It is a given that Disney Star will charge a huge chunk of their winning bid for Zee.
In effect, it can be said that Zee has the TV rights for all ICC men’s and U-19 events for a period of four years, starting 2024. ICC, in principle, has approved this agreement.
With the new rights coming into effect from 2024, it is important to note that Disney will still have all the rights for the ICC events in their digital platform.
What are the big ICC events in the 2024-27 cycle?
- ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and 2026
- ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025
- ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027
- ICC U-19 World Cup in 2024 and 2026
Punit Goenka, MD and CEO of Zee Entertainment confirmed the unique partnership as well. “This is a first-of-its-kind partnership in the Indian media & entertainment landscape, and this association with Disney Star reflects our sharp, strategic vision for the sports business in India. As a one-stop television destination for ICC men’s cricket events until 2027, ZEE will leverage the strength of its network to offer a compelling experience for its viewers and a great return on investment for its advertisers,” Punit Goenka said.
ZEE to be the one-stop TV destination for ICC men’s tournaments in India by inking a strategic licensing agreement for exclusive TV rights with @starindia. @starindia will license the television broadcasting rights of ICC Men’s & Under -19 global events for 4 years, to ZEE.
— ZEE (@ZEECorporate) August 30, 2022
“Long-term profitability and value-generation continue to be our areas of focus across the business, and we will always evaluate all the necessary steps that will enable us to make sports a compelling value proposition for the company.”
It is important to note that Disney Star still has the TV right for the IPL, most lucrative league in the world. They had lost the digital rights though to Viacom. The president of Disney Star, Madhavan expressed their happiness over the entire agreement.
“By securing the IPL television broadcast rights for 2023-27 and now opting to retain only the digital rights for ICC tournaments for 2024-27, we have in place a balanced and robust cricket offering for our audiences across linear and digital. Over the years, Disney Star has strengthened the appeal of international cricket in India, enabling it to reach diverse age groups and cultural demographics across all parts of the country. As India’s leading media house, we will continue to do so with our strong portfolio of cricket properties across television and digital,” Madhavan said.
