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Media Rights Deals

A flurry of activity in the sale of broadcasting rights.


First the BCCI signed a 5 year US $944m deal with Star for international matches in India.  This was quickly followed up by the Australian Cricket Board selling all its rights for $1,118m for 6 years.

These deals compare with the ECB's 5 year arrangement with Sky worth approximately $1,500m.

The deals aren't strictly comparable, along with the perils of converting local currency amounts to US $ they have different start dates and there are different rules on how much can be put behind a pay wall in each country.  And the Indian government has forbidden India v Pakistan matches which would be a huge draw to a broadcaster. (How much would the ECB / ACB get for a program with no ashes tests)?

Still on a simple per year basis the ECB comes out best with an annual fee of $300m with India and Australia all the way back on $190m each year.  Of course the six slogging, dancing girl bothering, elephant in the room is the IPL at $500m a year.



In India it is the IPL that calls the tune. In Australia and England it isn't so clear. Both the ECB and ACB sell their rights bundled up so there is no specific price for 20/20 coverage.

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