THE MEDIA RIGHTS IMBROGLIO for next month’s FIFA World Cup could possibly be close to a resolution with reports of the Z Network having put in a serious bid.
Shaji Prabhakaran, former AIFF general secretary, on Saturday posted on X that negotiations had been completed and an official announcement was “expected next week”.
The final deal is now reportedly closer to the $35 million, encompassing the rights for both the 2026 and 2030 men’s World Cup tournaments, that FIFA has been seeking. JioStar, which broadcast the 2022 edition in Qatar (as Viacom18), has reportedly held firm on its internal valuation of $20m.
Viacom18 had secured those rights for approximately $60m. Despite high viewership for Lionel Messi’s title-winning run with Argentina, industry estimates indicate that the network failed to recover even half of its media rights investment.
In regards to the reports of Z emerging as a white knight for harried Indian football fans, it is worth noting however, that Ian Wilson of FIFA TV Services, who had led a delegation to India, had returned after inconclusive talks with several parties in New Delhi and Mumbai.
The potential resolution follows FIFA’s recent $60m broadcast deal with CCTV for Mainland China, which locked in media coverage for the 2026 and 2030 men’s editions alongside the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups for $60m.
The 48-team tournament, being hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, kicks off on June 11, with 90% of the mega-tournament’s total of 104 matches airing in the India unfriendly time frame between midnight and 6am IST.
