Women’s IPL Media Rights: On January 16, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that Viacom18 had secured the closed-bid auction for the media rights to the forthcoming Women’s Indian Premier League (WIPL) for Rs 951 crore for five years, besting rival bidders Disney+ Hotstar and Sony. The cricket board staged an auction for the T20 league on Monday in Mumbai.
Following the acquisition of IPL Media Rights, Viacom18 has also acquired Women’s IPL Media Rights. This indicates that throughout the course of the next five years, the broadcaster will pay the BCCI a value of INR 7.09 crores per match (2023-27). The development signifies an important advancement for women’s cricket. Later, Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, verified the fact.
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On January 16, Jay Shah posted two tweets: the first announced that Viacom18 had acquired the media rights, and the second noted that, along with pay equity, the bidding for the media rights for the Women’s IPL symbolizes another historic mandate. He describes it as the beginning of a new era and a significant step toward empowering women’s cricket in India. Jay Shah is optimistic that the WIPL will encourage women of all ages to participate.
Women’s IPL Becomes bigger than Pakistan’s PSL
As we all are well aware of the fact that the IPL is the richest league tournament in the history of cricket. Now with recent developments, the Women’s IPL has been the second-richest Cricket League in the world. India’s Women’s IPL has become bigger than Pakistan’s Men’s PSL in the inaugural season.
The price per match for the 2023–27 cycle of the Indian Premier League (IPL) media rights sale was a breathtaking INR 57.40 crore, and Viacom18 won the media rights auction for the 2023-2027 seasons for 107.5 Cr INR per match. The Pakistan Super League (PSL), on the other hand, only hit INR 2.76 crore for the 2022–23 cycle, to put things in context. Women’s IPL is going to hit INR 7.09 crore per match for the next five years.
Who said what?
BCCI President, Mr. Roger Binny said: “I would like to congratulate Viacom18 for bagging the media rights for Women’s IPL for the period of 5 years. Women’s cricket has been on the up since a few years and the recently concluded bilateral series against Australia is a great testament to how popular women’s cricket has become in India. It was only apt to get our own women’s T20 league and give the fans more of women’s cricket. I would also like to congratulate the BCCI leadership and its workforce for a successful media rights process and wish them the very best for the first edition of the Women’s IPL.”
BCCI Honorary Secretary, Mr. Jay Shah said: “I am really thrilled that we have had such an encouraging response for a league that will revolutionize women’s cricket not just in India but across the globe. This is a commitment I had made to the Board and our women cricketers and today we have taken one big leap. The broadcasters play a key role in taking the game to a wider audience and their active interest in the league is a clear indication that the Women’s Indian Premier League is headed in the right direction.”
“The per-match valuation of Rs INR 7.09 crore is something that has never previously been registered for a women’s game. I congratulate Viacom18 for securing both the TV and digital rights with a combined bid of INR 951 crores and welcome them on Board. The journey has well and truly started and we will take another major step this month when the five franchises are announced.”
Chairman of IPL Governing Council, Mr. Arun Singh Dhumal said: “It gives me immense pleasure to welcome Viacom18 as our official digital and television broadcaster for women’s IPL. Viacom18 has committed INR 951 crores, which is a per-match value of INR 7.09 crores for the next 5 years (2023-27).”
“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.”
Vice-President of BCCI, Mr. Rajeev Shukla said: “I’m truly glad to witness a new dawn in women’s cricket today. 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, Mr. Ashish Shelar said: “I congratulate and thank Viacom18 for their record bid and faith in the league. With a consolidated bid of INR 951 crore, they have won both the TV as well as digital rights. These are record numbers for a women’s tournament and signal 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.”
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