Star Group has won the rights to broadcast Indian cricket for 2012-2018. The deal also includes internet and mobile rights, and is valued at Rs 3,851 crores and covers 96 matches. The rights cover all international cricket in India, and domestic competitions including the Ranji Trophy and Irani Cup, but does not include the IPL, which rests with Multi Screen Media (SET Max).
Speaking about the development with Campaign India, Uday Shankar, chief executive officer, Star India, said, “BCCI is a great property and we are overjoyed to have an opportunity to develop it further. It was decided amongst ESPN Star Sports (ESS), ESPN and Star that Star would bid for the rights and if Star were to win the rights it would be exploited in collaboration with ESS.”
Under the deal, according to media reports, Star will be paying approximately Rs.40 crores for each match, more than the Rs.32.5 crores that the previous broadcaster Nimbus had to pay for each match.
Prior to this deal, Star and ESS already owned the rights to ICC tournaments as well as cricket in Australia and England. The collaboration also owns rights to the Champions League Twenty20.