IPL Media Rights: Viacom18 Secures Digital Rights, Disney Pursues Legacy Media

According to reports, Viacom 18 has secured the digital rights to the Indian Premier League, while Disney has secured the legacy media rights for the next five years. While the rights to Package A (Legacy Media Rights) were won for a stunning Rs 23,575 crores, which equates to Rs 57.5 crores every game, the rights to Package B (Digital Rights) were secured for Rs 20,500 crores, which equates to Rs 50 crores per game. As a result of selling the two packages, the BCCI is now worth Rs 44,075 crores more.

IPL Media Rights: Two Broadcasters From 2023-2027; BCCI Paid 107 Crore Per Match

Surprisingly, the reserve price for each of these categories was Rs. 49 crore and Rs. 33 crore, respectively. This figure is more than double what Star spent in 2017: INR 16,347.5 crores (54.5 crores each match) for 60 matches per year.

When the auctions were called off on the second day, another Rs 2000 crore was offered for Package C, which includes a non-exclusive digital rights contract. The auction, which is already in its third day, will resume on Tuesday with Package C.
 

As of now, the board has earned an astounding Rs 46,000 crore, which is more than twice the value of the 2018 auction, which was Rs 16,347 crore.

"After selling two bundles, we are already approaching the USD 5.5 billion milestone." However, the value of digital rights each match is approaching Rs 50 crore. An additional gain of 51% above the basic price is fantastic," a BCCI official told PTI.

"The bidding ended today at 6 p.m., and we are now auctioning off package C, which includes 98 games for five years in the non-exclusive digital category." There are 18 in the first two seasons, 20 in the following two, and 24 in the final season. Package D, which includes international TV and internet rights, will follow."

The 410 matches are divided over five years as follows: 74 matches each in 2023 and 2024. The number of games grows to 84 in 2025 and 2026, and 94 in 2027.

According to the e-auction rules, the owners are given a secret code with which to bid. No BCCI officers or staff are aware of the bidding businesses' code.

During the initial phase, the bidding began with increments of Rs 50 lakh, and after the winner of Package A challenged the highest bidder of Package 'B,' the additional bid value was worth Rs 1 crore.
As previously reported, the second day saw little active bidding, with only one additional proposal for TV rights coming in, while the digital package saw no bids, despite Viacom-18 securing it for 49 crores per match on Sunday itself. Nonetheless, Star contested the Reliance-backed media conglomerate's proposal, and they responded with a new bid for 50 crores, which was sufficient to secure the acquisition.

The sale for Package C (Non-exclusive India digital rights) began Monday evening and will resume Tuesday at 11 a.m. IST, followed by the auction for Package D. (Rest of the World). The most recent offer for Package C was 18.5 crores per match, with a base reward of 16 crores.

According to sources, Viacom 18 wants to purchase Package C to prevent advertising income leakage.

"After selling two bundles, we are already approaching the USD 5.5 billion milestone." However, the value of digital rights per match might reach Rs 50 crores. An incremental gain of 51% above the basic price is incredible "On the condition of anonymity, a BCCI official told PTI.

"The bidding ended today at 6 p.m., and we are now auctioning off package C, which includes 98 games for five years in the non-exclusive digital category." There are 18 in the first two seasons, 20 in the following two, and 24 in the final season. Package D, which includes international TV and internet rights, will follow."

According to the e-auction rules, the owners are given a secret code with which to bid. No BCCI officers or staff are aware of the bidding businesses' code.

Package D, which has a base value of Rs 3 crores for global TV and digital rights, will have a strong competitor in Zee, which is being led by former BCCI CEO Rahul Johri during the auction.