Viacom18 Sports ties up with Cricket South Africa for digital and TV rights

Viacom18, controlled by Reliance Industries, said the partnership deepens its commitment to introduce cricket from South Africa. It recently announced a 10-year partnership with South Africa’s premier cricket league SA20. Both will work to increase the exposure of international cricket from South Africa to the enthusiastic fan base in India. The company’s sports portfolio also includes the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 from November 20 to December 18.

The partnership will cover all international cricket in South Africa, including the iconic Mahatma Gandhi-Nelson Mandela series between India and South Africa. The deal includes other high-profile series such as Basil d’Olivera against England and tours to Sri Lanka, Pakistan, West Indies, Australia and Bangladesh.

Similarly, late last year, Amazon Prime Video India announced its partnership with the New Zealand Cricket Board for streaming all cricket matches (men’s and women’s cricket) played in that country to viewers in India from 2022 Was.

India and South Africa have a history of creating incredible competitions that are complemented by mutual admiration, be it India’s first country to play against the Proteas in the aftermath of apartheid or the rainbow nation during the Omicron wave of COVID-19. to visit. pandemic in December 2021, the company said. “South Africa are one of the most competitive and formidable teams across formats in world cricket, and this partnership will offer some of the best competitions for cricket-loving fans in India,” said Viacom18 Sports CEO Anil. Jayaraj.

“The association with Cricket South Africa is a testament to our effort to provide fans with an unmatched, high-quality broadcast experience of some of the best cricket action in prime-time.” CSA Chief Executive Officer Foletsi Mosecki said; “CSA is delighted to partner with a broadcaster of his stature. This is an affirmation of our intention to beam a taste of cricket, which is always exhilarating and entertaining, to our waiting fans in South Africa. The partnership is the beginning of a journey that will offer the thrill of watching cricket brought to you by a broadcaster that values ​​the viewership experience supreme.” As part of its sporting events, it also holds the digital media rights for the Indian Premier League, NBA, Diamond League, LaLiga, Serie A, Ligue 1. and top ATP and BWF events.

India’s sports media and sponsorship industry almost reached 95 billion in FY20, but will be growing at a slow pace to reach 150 billion by 2024, a new report has claimed. According to a report by sports related employment agency Sporzo and FICCI, the industry grew at a CAGR of 14% till 2020.