MUMBAI: The BCCI on Monday announced that Viacom18 have bagged the media rights for the inaugural five-year cycle of the upcoming Women’s Indian Premier League.
The BCCI confirmed that the Reliance India Ltd-controlled network was the successful bidder for the consolidated bid for the media rights (i.e., global televisions rights and global digital rights).
“Viacom18 Media Private Limited will acquire the media rights from WIPL Season 2023 to WIPL Season 2027 for a cumulative figure of Rs 951 crores (i.e., Rs 7.09 crores per match),” the BCCI announced.
As per ESPNcricinfo, only two of the eight parties that had bought the Invitation to Tender (ITT) turned up for the auction – Viacom 18 and Disney Star.
The network has also secured the digital rights to the IPL for the same cycle, as well as ten-year consolidated India territory media rights for the SA20 League in South Africa.
The inaugural season of the WIPL will be a five-team double round-robin tournament, tentatively scheduled for March.
The BCCI will reportedly conduct the auction for the WIPL franchises on January 25. The deadline for the cricketers to register for the player auction – due to be held in February – is January 26.
Argus Partners was the legal advisor to BCCI for the bid process.
BCCI president Roger Binny said: “It was only apt to get our own women’s T20 league and give the fans more of women’s cricket.”
BCCI secretary Jay Shah opined, “The journey has well and truly started and we will take another major step this month when the five franchises are announced.”
IPL governing council chairman Arun Singh Dhumal noted: “The faith of all our bidders for this process also testifies that they see value in investing in this property which will only be growing with each passing year. Women’s cricket has shown immense growth in the past few years and our own T20 league, it only solidifies our approach towards women’s cricket and the potential it has for growth in India. I would once again like to congratulate Viacom18 and would also like to thank all our bidders for supporting and showing faith in our prospects.”
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla commented: “The Women’s IPL would elevate the stature of women’s cricket across the globe and would groom talents at the grassroots level. Congratulations to Viacom18 for winning the media rights for Women’s IPL 2023-27. We hope to witness phenomenal enthusiasm and support from cricket audiences worldwide.”
BCCI treasurer Ashish Shelar added, “These are record numbers for a women’s tournament and signal to a promising start to Women’s IPL. I am confident that the tournament will prove to be a game-changer and that the popularity of women’s cricket will soar further. A lot of work is being done behind the scenes and the first season of this unique tournament will truly be memorable.”
