IPL is breaking audience and reach records, but rights holders Disney Star and Viacom18 are reportedly struggling to convert that traction into revenue. Despite major spending on broadcast and digital rights, the economics of monetising viewers—especially across streaming and ad-led formats—remain challenging, leaving both broadcasters seeking better returns.
Viacom18, backed by Reliance and led by media executive Uday Shankar, has acquired IPL digital rights for five years in a massive deal worth about ₹23,758 crore. The investment dwarfs its current OTT footprint, raising the key question: can Viacom18 convert IPL demand into subscriptions and sustainable profits, or will competition from established platforms stall returns?
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FIFA is finding it tough to sell India media rights for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups, forcing it to cut its asking price to $35 million. The reduction reflects a slowdown in sports broadcasting and limited interest from potential buyers. JioStar, the current rights holder, is viewed as the closest contender as FIFA continues to shop for deals.
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