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Viacom18 has won media rights for the women’s IPL for a period of five years following the auction conducted in Mumbai. The company will pay INR 951 crores for the five-year period – 2023 to 2027 – which BCCI secretary Jay Shah called “massive” while making the announcement on Twitter.

Other groups were outbid by Viacom 18 in a closed-bid auction for WIPL 2023. The rights comprise three categories – linear (TV), digital and combined (TV and digital) – and were sold globally, including in India. The deal is for five years – 2023 to 2027 – with the company committing INR 951 crore overall.

Viacom 18 Outbids Likes Of Disney Star, Sony And Zee To Win Media Rights For WIPL 2023

Jay Shah said the bidding amount would have a per-match-value of INR 7.09 crore over five years. The men’s IPL, in comparison, fetched a five-year deal of INR 48,390.5 crore in June last year with a per-match-value of INR 58 crore.

All the major Indian broadcasters, including Disney Star, Viacom18, Sony and Zee, had bidden for the Women’s Indian Premier League (WIPL) media rights at an auction on Monday. The BCCI had adopted a closed bid auction method for the day-long event, and also announced the winner Viacom18 on the same day.

It was learned that eight potential bidders had bought the tender document which was put on sale in December. The rights, spanning a five-year period between 2023-27, comprised three categories: linear (TV), digital and combined (TV and digital).

The WIPL media rights are significant because they constitute the majority of the central commercial pool from which the five franchises will get 80% of their revenue.

In the tender document for franchise rights, the BCCI mentioned that it would share 80% of the commercial rights income it derives from WIPL with the teams in the first five years, 60% in the following five years, and 50% after that. In addition, the franchises will also get 80% of the money derived from the central licensing rights.

“Congratulations @viacom18 for winning the Women’s @IPL media rights. Thank you for your faith in @BCCI and @BCCIWomen. Viacom has committed INR 951 crores which means per match value of INR 7.09 crores for next 5 years (2023-27). This is massive for Women’s Cricket,” Shah tweeted.

“After pay equity, today’s bidding for media rights for Women’s IPL marks another historic mandate. It’s a big and decisive step for empowerment of women’s cricket in India, which will ensure participation of women from all ages. A new dawn indeed! #WIPL @ICC @BCCIWomen,” read his another tweet.

According to BCCI secretary Jay Shah, the fee per match will come to INR 7.09 crore for the next five years. BCCI on January 3 released the Invitation to Tender for the rights to own and operate a team in the Women’s IPL.

The much-anticipated Women’s IPL is set to get underway in 2023 and a franchise-based model is likely to see five teams in the inaugural season. In last year’s Governing Council Meeting, the BCCI gave a nod to launch the Women’s IPL.

BCCI Last Year Decided To Launch Women IPL 2023 After Successfully Conducting The Women’s T20 Challenge

Having conducted the Women’s T20 Challenge initially as an exhibition event, the BCCI last year finally decided to launch the WIPL 2023 with its inaugural edition set to be played in March. While the BCCI has not yet announced the tournament dates, it is understood that the first season, spanning 22 matches, is likely to be played between March 5 and 23.

The inaugural season of the WIPL is set to be held in March • BCCI

The BCCI will unveil the five WIPL 2023 franchises on January 25. The financial bids of these franchises, currently submitted in sealed envelopes, will be opened on that day. The BCCI has listed 10 cities in the bid document. So far, at least eight of the 10 men’s IPL franchises have confirmed they would be bidding for a franchise.