(Image source from: broadcastandcablesat.co.in)

The Television and Digital media rights of Indian Premier League (IPL) hit Rs 43,050 crores on the first day of the e-auction that was conducted on Sunday. Four large broadcasters fought for the biggest ever event in the history of Indian cricket. Sony Pictures India, Viacom 18 and Disney Star India have been competing for the tv rights of IPL for the Indian sub-continent under package A. Zee Entertainment Ltd is competing for the digital media rights of IPL under Package B. The TV rights are said to be closed for Rs 57 crores per match which is 16 percent more than the predicted price which is Rs 49 crores. The digital rights came up by 45 percent of the base price which is now Rs 48 crores per match and the base price is Rs 33 crores.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has divided the deals into four packages with a complete base price of Rs 32,890 crores. There would be a total number of 410 matches in the next five years of 2023 till 2027. The auction process started on Sunday and it closed at 6 PM in Taj Lands End Hotek in Mumbai. The auction resumes today for Package A, B. After the first two packages are closed, the other two will be closed. As per the reports, the bugging for the digital media rights are more aggressive. The TV rights too are in huge demand but less when compared to the digital rights. The internet penetration in India increased on a faster note in the country. Disney Plus Hotstar gained huge subscribers as the digital platform owns the digital streaming rights of IPL for the current years.

By Siva Kumar