In a recent development for the Women’s IPL (WIPL), Viacom 18 has secured media rights for the inaugural edition of this marquee event for five years. They will pay up to 951 crores (approximately 116.7 million dollars) from 2023 to 2027.
It has been reported by ESPN Cricinfo that only two of the eight parties that had purchased the ITT (Invitation to Tender) document turned up for the auction. It is believed Viacom 18 and Disney Star were the primary bidding parties. The winning bid has ensured that the media rights will be secured for TV coverage and digital coverage and have been sold globally besides India.
🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨
Viacom18 has won Women’s IPL Media Rights.
Viacom has committed INR 951 crores which means per match value of INR 7.09 crores for the next 5 years (2023-27)
This is massive for Women’s Cricket!! pic.twitter.com/v3jt6b6Z63
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 16, 2023
Jay Shah, the BCCI president hailed this new development and tweeted, “Congratulations @viacom18 for winning the Women’s @IPL media rights. Thank you for your faith in @BCCI and @BCCIWomen. Viacom has committed INR 951 crores which means per match value of INR 7.09 crores for the next 5 years (2023-27). This is massive for Women’s Cricket, After pay equity, today’s bidding for media rights for Women’s IPL marks another historic mandate. It’s a big and decisive step for the empowerment of women’s cricket in India, which will ensure the participation of women of all ages. A new dawn indeed! #WIPL @ICC @BCCIWomen”.
Congratulations @viacom18 for winning the Women’s @IPL media rights. Thank you for your faith in @BCCI and @BCCIWomen. Viacom has committed INR 951 crores which means per match value of INR 7.09 crores for next 5 years (2023-27). This is massive for Women’s Cricket 🙏🇮🇳
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) January 16, 2023
Breaking down the financials of this mega deal, the amount for each match is 7.09 Crores (that is approximately 866,000 USD) for the next five years period and we will witness 22 matches per season in the first three years and with more matches coming after the 2026 season. What is interesting to note is that the men’s IPL in a landmark deal amassed 48,390.5 Crores (6.2 Billion USD) in June last year and the Women’s IPL in the very first edition fetching this amount is nothing short of remarkable. It goes to show how profitable and important an investment in anything women’s cricket is, at the moment.
🚨JUST IN🚨
Viacom18 wins media rights for Women’s IPL
The value per match in Women’s IPL is 7.09 crore for the next 5 years🥳#CricketTwitter #WomensIPL pic.twitter.com/lHNF8dcarp
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 16, 2023
Jay Shah was ecstatic and while speaking to the media opined how the deal has the potential to revolutionize women’s cricket globally and that he is thrilled about the encouraging response for the league from all quarters. He further added, “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.”
I am a first year postgraduate student pursuing a MA in Media and Communication Studies at Christ University, Bengaluru. I am a podcaster, blogger and an avid cricket fan. When not glued to cricket matches, you can find me submerged in books and thinking about cricket all the time.