ICC TV Rights, 2024-2027: $1.5 Billion Deal Between Disney Star And Zee Shrouded In Uncertainty - Report

With the new media rights cycle about to begin in January 2024, the $1.5 billion International Cricket Council (ICC) TV rights deal between Disney Star and Zee Entertainment Enterprises is reportedly shrouded in uncertainty. (Cricket News)

Zee Entertainment is yet to give the necessary bank guarantees to Disney Star, according to a source quoted in an Economic Times report, and hence the ICC TV deal, which was announced in August 2022, is still not finalized.

Zee has stated in its FY23 annual report that acquiring the ICC TV rights is subject to certain criteria. These include fulfilling financial commitments, providing guarantees, and obtaining ICC approval for sub-licensing to the company.

Amid discussions between Walt Disney and Reliance Industries for a potential merger between Star India and Viacom18, the uncertainty of the ICC TV deal could become a factor of consideration.

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The upcoming ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2024, which will be played in South Africa from January 19 to February 11, will be the first tournament to be part of the new media rights cycle. Disney Star acquired the ICC TV and digital rights for India from 2024 to 2027 for $3 billion and sub-licensed the TV rights for the men's and Under-19 global events to Zee, while retaining the digital rights.

Earlier in December, ICC had announced a four-year deal with Prime Video for the live broadcast rights in Australia. The partnership will see Prime Video Australia exclusively stream all men’s and women’s events, including the Men’s and Women’s Cricket World Cups, T20 World Cups, Champions Trophy, Under-19s and the World Test Championship Final. The deal includes streaming rights in Australia for 448 live games from 2024 to 2027.