The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expects to earn INR 103.68 billion in broadcasting rights income for its cricket properties in the financial year 2016-2017.
The figure represents a 60 % increase on the previous financial year’s figure of INR 10.6975 billion in 2015-2016, thanks predominantly to rights income for the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The majority of the media rights payments came from Multi Screen Media (now Sony Pictures Networks India) for coverage in India; Times Internet sublicensees; British Sky Broadcasting from the sale of its television, Internet and mobile media rights for the UK, Ireland, Isle of Mann, Channel Islands and the European territories; ESPN for the TV, audio, Internet and mobile rights in the US and surrounding areas; and Hotstar for its delayed domestic streaming rights for India, and for audio and television, Internet mobile and audio rights for some other territories.
According to the BCCI, IPL 2016 registered a cumulative reach of 361 million viewers, with 52 percent of TV viewing households turning in. On top of that, the twenty 20 leagues attracted 1,5 million spectators at the cricket grounds.
The BCCI has recently announced an invitation to tender for the IPL media rights from 2017. Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) India is expected to battle with Star India to retain the domestic television rights, while US e-commerce and streaming company Amazon is reportedly mulling an IPL digital deal.