In the latest development, India’s public broadcaster Prasar Bharati is reportedly interested in the ICC’s media rights deal. This comes after JioStar, who are the current media rights partner for 2024/27 cycle, has reportedly informed the ICC that it cannot service the remainder of the two years of the deal due to deep financial losses. While it was reported that the global body had approached other platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Sony Sports Network to take up and complete the service for the remaining period, Prasar Bharati is the latest entrant in the race.
Prasar Bharati to bag ICC media rights deal?
As per Best Media Info, a Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) official, Prasar Bharati will certainly participate in the bid to acquire the ICC media rights. The official stated that the ICC could decide to further break up the rights, adding that the public broadcaster will take part in the process no matter what format emerges. The official stated that while it was too early to comment on the matter, cricket was a much-sought after property and that the public broadcaster was trying to understand if there will be just a single bidder or multiple contenders.
“It is possible that the ICC may decide to further break up the rights. For example, matches played in India versus those played outside, or tournament-wise. Whatever format finally emerges, we would certainly like to participate,” the MIB official told the publication.
The official further said that Prasar Bharati – armed with Doordarshan, DD Freedish and OTT platforms – has both interest and a definite budget. The MIB official claimed that even if it wasn’t feasible for the broadcaster to secure rights for the entire package, they will bid for tournaments that fall within their reach such as India matches or major international fixtures.
“With Doordarshan, DD Freedish, and our OTT platforms, we have both the interest and a defined budget. Even if acquiring the entire rights package is not feasible, we will definitely consider bidding for one or two tournaments that fall within our reach, especially those with strong national appeal, such as India matches or major international fixtures,” the official added.
