Star India has acquired the media rights of Cricket South Africa (CSA) till the end of the 2023/24 cricket season. The deal means Star has got the broadcast deals across Asia, Middle East and North Africa.
The agreement grants Star India exclusive rights across linear and digital mediums including all India tours to South Africa in this period. The association kicks off with England’s tour to South Africa starting on 27 November 2020.
With this Star's cricket portfolio now consists of ICC, BCCI cricket, Indian Premier League apart from other cricket rights.
Sanjog Gupta, CEO - sports, Star India, said, “We are delighted to collaborate with Cricket South Africa. This alliance fortifies our commitment to cricket and our belief in the significance of sport in Star India's consumer proposition. South Africa has some of the most highly recalled Cricketers and competitive teams, which pride themselves in taking on the best from around the world. We look forward to hosting the best of South African cricket till 2024."
He added, “Star India has made significant investments over the years to deepen the relationship that fans have with the game via enhanced story-telling, innovations in broadcast and regionalisation. The broadcast of Dream11 IPL was an unprecedented collective endeavour built on the same principles. We will hope to apply the same approach and elevate the consumer experience of CSA's matches. The partnership will kick off with England's tour of South Africa on 27 November 2020 during which the three T20Is will be broadcast in Hindi for the very first time. This will give these matches significant reach in the Hindi-speaking markets."
Kugandrie Govender, acting CEO, CSA, said, “There are few social events on the South African sporting calendar that rally our fans up as much as the cricket-showdown between South Africa, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, so we wholeheartedly welcome this agreement with Star India. Knowing that the sport reaches millions of people all over the world, which is now further amplified by this Star deal, will see our Protea teams even more powered up to impress fans and to outperform their rivals! We look forward to partnering with Star India and to delivering wicket-smashing cricket until the end of the 2023/24 season!”
As per Future Tours Plan, South Africa will be playing 59 matches at home including series against teams such as India, England and Australia. The Indian cricket team is scheduled to tour South Africa thrice in this period.
