BCCI Media Rights: Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expects over Rs 12,000 Crore from the sell of media rights of matches at home. With 20 Tests, 21 ODIs and 31 T20s over the next four years, the Indian board is not wrong to assume that. However, industry experts are not convinced by the number. The big factor is 21 ODIs before and after the ICC World Cup 2023. Despite India Cricket Team playing, ODIs have lost appeal and viewership gradually. Hence, many believe that BCCI won’t be able to cross Rs 10,000 crore. Follow India Cricket Teal LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Even though Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and others dominate discussions and viewership battles, both are set to be absent from many ODIs after the World Cup. As India team goes through a transition after 2023 WC and T20 World Cup 2024, experts are not convinced.
“Let’s be honest, ODIs are not that appealing anymore. Yes, there may be great hype during World Cup and get a good viewership as it’s happening in India, but overall, the format doesn’t attract a great audience. With over 21 ODIs in the next four years at home, it is unlikely that BCCI will fetch over 10,000 Crore,” an industry source close to the development told InsideSport.
Only four touring teams that attract audiences are Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa. With Pakistan not touring anytime soon, BCCI will have to depend on the four teams to extract maximum value. As per the latest FTP (Futures Tour Programme), Australia will tour only twice in the next four years. England, New Zealand and South Africa will tour twice each. The rest of the matches will be against West Indies, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh while India will be touring more often.
However, even T20s and Tests could lose appeal in near future. With the futures of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma still uncertain in T20s and both players set to take a call on playing all three formats after World Cup 2023, there could be a decline in viewership as per industry experts.
Both Kohli and Rohit are likely to bid goodbye to ODIs after the World Cup. While Rohit is 35, Virat Kohli is turning 35 in November. Both superstars do not have a long time left in their careers. As Test is Kohli’s focus, even if he doesn’t retire from one format, workload management will see him play ODIs and T20s a lot less.
As for Rohit, he is likely to take a call on quitting one format to prolong his career. With another ODI World Cup cycle beginning in 2024, ICC Champions Trophy 2025 could be his last in the format.
“We have to understand that the numbers are for 4-5 years whatever BCCI decides. So, you have to consider the post World Cup time as well. Whether Virat, Rohit continue playing all three formats is a matter of debate. Without the two stars, viewership will certainly take a hit. Even if we assume that both will play all three till 2024 World Cup, there could be a period of transition after that. So, 12000 Cr seems a bit of a stretch,” another expert from a reputed broadcaster told InsideSport.
BCCI Media Rights: Intense war could drive price
However, with huge competition between Disney-Star, Viacom18 and Sony for media rights, the prices could definitely shoot up, especially in digital. As reported by InsideSport earlier, BCCI is set to separate both digital and TV on a 5-year deal. With the current deal with Star India expired, BCCI will go the IPL way and separate both to attract more money than before. BCCI sold the combined rights for Rs 6138.1 Cr in 2018.
Disney-Star, which has lost out on IPL digital rights and is set to let go of HBO shows, will want India’s home matches on the platform. Similarly, Viacom18 has bet big on IPL and other sports properties. But it does not have any Indian cricket to show. Hence, the Reliance-backed company would be keen on getting India Cricket on its platform.
Sony on the other hand has lost big time. With FIFA World Cup, IPL, Olympics and other sports properties gone, they will want to retain the appeal through India Cricket.
Earlier, a senior BCCI official told InsideSport that, they expect upward of Rs 12000 Cr from the sell of media rights.
“We received a great response for IPL and that’s the way forward. The numbers show that the audience is moving towards digital than TV. Hence, it only makes sense to separate the two. We expect upward of 12,000 Crore this time,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
BCCI Media Rights: All you need to know –
- BCCI secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that the sale of media rights will begin in July.
- The tender will be floated sometime in June end with the entire process set to take 45 days to complete.
- After the success of selling IPL Media Rights, BCCI will separate TV and digital rights.
- With India set to host 20 Tests, 21 ODIs and 31 T20s in the next four years, the expectation is to score over Rs 12,000 Crore.
- However, BCCI a decision on the duration of the new deal is still pending.
- The last deal was for 5 years. BCCI has sold IPL rights for a 5-year period.
- BCCI is likely to continue with the 5-year option.
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