MUMBAI: Acting on expected lines and as per industry expectations, Reliance-controlled Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) Thursday announced Viacom18 Media Private Limited as the exclusive media rights holder for the Hero Indian Super League for (at least) the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.
It bears noting that FSDL has full operational control over the ISL.
That Viacom18 would be announced as the media rights holder for the ISL was always on the cards once it became clear that Disney Star (also a 35% stakeholder in FSDL) had called time on the ISL media rights, which it has held since the inception of the ISL in 2014.
The 10th season of the ISL kicks off on September 21 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, with a blockbuster clash between rivals Kerala Blasters FC and Bengaluru FC. For the announcement video, click here…
Viacom18 will be the media rights holder for the ISL, India’s top-tier football league, across digital and linear TV platforms. The telecast will be available for football fans in multiple languages keeping in mind the diverse audience of the league, and will also be streamed free on JioCinema.
Over the past decade, ISL has proven to be a driving force behind the overall development of football in India both on and off the field. In its next phase of growth Viacom18 will be the perfect partner to take ISL to a larger audience, with its strong digital capabilities and connect with new-age sports fans. Viacom18’s digital streaming platform JioCinema, which will stream ISL for free, has brought a pioneering viewing experience through livestreaming of properties such as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and the TATA IPL and it will continue to bring a similar experience for ISL.
An FSDL spokesperson said, “We are pleased to have Viacom18 as our media rights partner for the Indian Super League. When we set on our journey of ISL, we had the vision to revolutionise the Indian football ecosystem. As we enter our 10th year of growing football in India, it is great to associate with a partner who shares the same vision and believes in growing the consumption of football in the country. Viacom18’s proven record and impact in offering a fan-first football experience to the Indian audience, starting with the FIFA Football World Cup, makes them the best partner as we enter the next decade of growing Indian football.”
A Viacom18 spokesperson added, “Winning the streaming and broadcast rights to the ISL is a big step forward for us in the direction of building a glittering stable of footballing action. The ISL has led the resurgence of Indian football in recent years and coming on board with the league as the exclusive media partner enables us to contribute to the development of the sport in the country. We believe this is an exciting time in Indian football and through our extensive presentation of the league we aim to stoke a renewed interest in the heart of every Indian football lover.”
FSDL confirms that ISL 2023-24 NOT postponed
Meanwhile, in a related development, FSDL confirmed that the ISL will start on September 21, while formally rejecting the plea of All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey to defer the starting date by 10 days.
FSDL issued a statement on Thursday, saying that there was no scope for postponement of the schedule and that it was made keeping the AFC Asian Cup and the FIFA windows in mind.
“The ISL 10 season schedule to begin on September 21st has been created and approved with extensive consultations involving all stakeholders, including the AIFF. Basis the recommendations of AIFF on the league window, the final start dates were calendered,” the FSDL statement reads.
“All stakeholders have formally agreed to the schedule’s dates and structure, which incorporates necessary breaks to accommodate FIFA windows and breaks for the AFC Asian Cup. Given the packed football calendar, the season schedule has been designed to consider all these factors leaving no scope for postponement of the tournament at this stage.”
