The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has officially put forward its proposal for the media rights of the upcoming Asia Cup tournaments, with a base price of $170 million (around Rs 1,428 crore). This hefty bid package includes global television, digital, and audio rights for a variety of tournaments, including the Men’s and Women’s Asia Cup, Under-19 Asia Cup, and Emerging Teams Asia Cup for both men and women. The auction will take place on November 1, 2023, and broadcasters interested in bidding must submit their technical bids by October 30 in Dubai.
Media Rights Package for 8 Years
The ACC is offering media rights for an 8-year period, which will cover the next four editions of the Men’s Asia Cup. These editions will be held between 2024 and 2031, making this a long-term opportunity for broadcasters to lock in rights for one of the biggest cricket tournaments in the region. The next Asia Cup will be hosted by India in 2025 and played in the T20 format. Bangladesh will host the tournament in 2027 in the ODI format, while Pakistan will host the 2029 T20 edition, and Sri Lanka will take over the 2031 Asia Cup in the ODI format.
India vs Pakistan Clash Guaranteed
A key attraction for broadcasters is the promise of at least two matches between arch-rivals India and Pakistan during each edition of the Men’s Asia Cup. These high-stakes encounters typically generate massive viewership, driving up ad revenue for broadcasters. If both teams advance to the finals, it could result in a third showdown, which would further boost earnings potential. In the last Men’s Asia Cup, India and Pakistan faced each other twice, and both matches were highly anticipated by fans worldwide.
Focus on Broadcasters Like Viacom18 and Disney Hotstar
This major auction is expected to attract several prominent broadcasters. All eyes are currently on Viacom18-Jio Cinema and Disney Hotstar, as rumors of a potential merger between these two giants have been circulating. Both platforms have a significant stake in the cricket broadcast market and could be major contenders in this bidding war. However, it remains to be seen how many broadcasters will ultimately join the race for these coveted rights.
Auction Through E-Auction Process
The ACC has opted for an e-auction format to finalize the price and determine the winner of the media rights. This format will allow transparency and fair competition among broadcasters. However, to participate, interested parties must first clear the technical bid submission process in Dubai by October 30. The e-auction is expected to generate fierce competition, potentially driving the base price above the Rs 1,428 crore mark.
Exciting Time for Cricket Broadcasters
This media rights package offers an exciting opportunity for broadcasters to secure a long-term deal with some of the most prestigious cricket tournaments in Asia. With the guaranteed India vs Pakistan matches and a well-organized e-auction process, the ACC has ensured that the upcoming bidding process will draw significant interest from major players in the industry. As cricket remains a massive draw for audiences, this auction could shape the future of sports broadcasting in the region for the next eight years.
