Star India retains BCCI's media rights for five years at Rs 6138.1 crore

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sold the media rights for domestic and international cricket to Star India for Rs 6138.1 crore, 62% above the last deal which was Rs 3851 crore. The deal includes global consolidated rights, including television and digital telecast of the 102 international matches (22 Tests, 42 ODIs and 38 Twenty20 Internationals). Star India was contesting against Sony Pictures Networks India and Jio for the rights.

Uday Shankar

Uday Shankar, Chairman, Star India Private Limited, said, “Having both the IPL and India Domestic and International Rights puts us in a special position. I am confident that Star and BCCI can transform the sporting experience in the country. Before the auction began, we had a specific number in mind. The prices reflect the average value of all three formats of the game. I congratulate the BCCI for putting across a scientific and a thoroughly transparent process. You knew the bids at all times, but at no stage did you know the bidder. Having a brutally transparent process is a major factor for their success.”

The cost of per match comes out to be Rs 60.18 crore, on an average, against Rs 43 crore per match which was the cost between 2012-2018. While six players had picked up the bidding document, only three were a part of the final e-auction process.

BCCI acting treasurer Anirudh Chaudhury announced it on Twitter through his post:

“Congratulations @StarSportsIndia on bagging the BCCI Media Rights @ 6138.1 crores at an average of 60.1 crore per game.”

In September 2017, Star India grabbed the consolidated rights of Indian Premier League (IPL) at Rs 16,347 crore. With this deal, Star has dominated the cricket broadcast business of the country.

“Combined with IPL, Star India has become home for cricket in India that is bound to create monopoly when it comes to ad rates or subscription rates,” said a media observer on the condition of anonymity.

Diana Edulji, Member, CoA, said, “At the outset, our goal was quite clear. We wanted to maintain the highest level of transparency and at the same time, we were looking to achieve the best possible revenue from the deal. On behalf of CoA chairman, Vinod Rai who was in regular touch with me, I say that we are very happy with the way the entire online auction process has culminated.”

CK Khanna

CK Khanna, Acting President, BCCI, said, “I congratulate the Star group for securing BCCI’s Domestic and International Rights. The BCCI shares a strong bond with Star and our association will touch new levels in the years to come. The fact that it took three days to decide a winner proves the deep level of interest in Indian cricket.

Amitabh Choudhary

Amitabh Choudhary, Acting Honourary Secretary, BCCI, said, “We tried out the e-auction for the first time and it was a pleasant experience. By securing the BCCI Domestic and International Rights, Star has now completed a hat-trick. I also express my gratitude to Reliance Industries Limited and Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited who completed the e-auction process and made it a success.”

Rahul Johri

Rahul Johri, CEO, BCCI, said, “The BCCI had put together a transparent process and I am pleased with the outcome. In the process, we were assisted by Deloitte Haskins and Sells LLP and Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. The fierce bidding underlines the importance of domestic and international cricket. The supporters of Indian cricket will be treated to some high-quality action not only on the field but also on television and digital platforms.

The base price was set at Rs 43 crore per match by BCCI, when the e-auction started on April 3, which amounted to the total cost of Rs 4176 for the global consolidated rights. The e-auction offered the rights in three groups – global television rights plus rest of the world digital rights package, Indian sub-continent digital rights package and the global consolidated rights package.

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