ISL 2023-24: STAR SPORTS to EXIT, Viacom18 to TAKEOVER

ISL Broadcasting RIGHTS: ISL Media Rights: ISL Viacom 18 Broadcast: Viacom 18 is set to take over the media and broadcasting rights for Indian Super League after the upcoming season, i.e, the 2023-24 season. The broadcasting rights were with Star Network since the debut of the tournament. However, with the growing popularity of Viacom 18 who share the same ownership with FSDL aim to take the broadcasting rights on their own.

“ISL is Viacom’s property anyway. They could have done it this year only, but they decided to give it a year before taking ISL up because they had a lot of events But from the 2024-25 season they will be taking it over,” a Viacom18 official told to InsideSport.

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The Indian Super League was founded after the FSDL (Football Sports Development Limited) entered Indian football in 2010. Currently, Star Sports, one of the league’s co-owners, broadcast the ISL. Star provided a multilingual prime-time telecast helping ISL reach new heights since its debut.

“Star Sports had the contract for five years from 2018 to 2023. This was when Star Sports owned the project. Now, FSDL had 66% Share. Initially, FSDL owned only 33%, IMG had 33% and 34 per cent was with Star Sports. Because they were gonna show it,” he added.

However, the current financial model has hurt Star Sports. Declining viewership over the last couple of seasons could see Star exit after the end of their deal. Waiting to pounce is Viacom18, the Reliance-backed broadcast giant. Incidentally, the FSDL is also a subsidiary of Reliance.

Viewership for CFC vs ATKMB on hotstar – 45k

Viewership for LIV vs CHE on hotstar – 200k

— ISL & I-League Transfer News (@indiantransfer) January 21, 2023

ISL LIVE Streaming: Viacom18 set to take over from Star Sports

ISL’s declining viewership has hurt Star Sports.
One of the league owners, Star Sports had initially signed a 10-year deal.
With the contract coming to an end, Reliance-backed Viacom18 is set to take over.
Incidentally, Reliance subsidiary FSDL owns 65% of the ISL.
Viacom is making its way aggressively in the sports broadcast industry.
They purchased the digits rights for the new IPL cycle for a whopping Rs 23,758 crore
Star Sports, who held the digital rights previously, could only hold onto their broadcast rights.
Earlier, Viacom18 also secured the rights for FIFA World Cup 2022, Olympic 2024, La Liga, Serie A, and Ligue 1.

“When FSDL signed that contract with Star, Sports 18 didn’t exist, Now Sports 18 is ruling the entire sports industry in terms of production. They have a global market value and have purchased the rights to the Olympics. When they gave it the Star they didn’t have any channel. So now they want to do it on their own and there is no point in holding back.” he concluded.

Simply put, neither the clubs nor the event planners are profitable. Furthering the problem is keeping the ISL broadcasting rights off the market. The cost of the IPL, Pro Kabaddi, and other rights are soaring. As more businesses, including Amazon, enter the broadcast market, domestic sports properties in India are experiencing an insane bull run.

The best way to address its current broadcasting problems is via Sports18. Because it might grow to be a more significant broadcasting partner. When coupled with its internet streaming service (Voot and/or Jio TV), it has the potential to have a bigger impact on the entire Indian football industry. It will act as the starting point for future ISL growth.

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