Star Wins BCCI's 6-year TV Broadcast, Internet & Mobile Rights For Cricket In India

Star India has won the bid from Board of Control for Cricket in India(BCCI) for broadcast, Internet and mobile rights of all international cricket matches at home besides domestic events like Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and the Irani Trophy.

The right for broadcasting the matches on television, Internet and mobile is for a period of six years starting from July 2012. The deal is valued at $756 million (Rs 3,851 crore) covering 96 matches. The other competitive bidder was Multi-Screen Media (Sony) at $727 million (Rs 3700 crore).

Star Group bid approximately Rs 40 crore ($7.86 million) for each match, around 25 per cent more than what Nimbus had agreed to pay as per the previous deal for each match.

The domestic event rights do not cover V broadcast for IPL 20-20 matches which continues to be held by Sony. Times Internet holds the global Internet, mobile and radio rights for the IPL for a period of four years. It had won the rights last year at a cost of Rs 261.6 crore.

With this, Star replaces Nimbus, whose contract was prematurely terminated recently by the BCCI.

The deal puts Star and its partner ESPN ahead of competitors for airing cricket matches involving India. ESPN-Star already have the rights for all ICC events besides rights for domestic cricket in England and Australia.