In a recent move that underscores its prowess in acquiring sports properties, Viacom18, the Indian media broadcasting giant, has clinched the media rights for the upcoming India tour of Ireland 2023. The news, sourced from SportsMint, highlights Viacom18’s continued success in expanding its portfolio, much to the excitement of cricket fans across the Indian subcontinent.
Cricket enthusiasts will be able to catch live action from the India-Ireland tour on Viacom18’s OTT platform, JioCinema, and the TV network, Sports18. This development comes as a blow to Sony Pictures Networks, which will now miss out on the exclusive coverage of the India-Ireland fixtures, following its replacement by Star Sports as Cricket Australia’s official broadcaster.
Dominance of Viacom
JioCinema’s recent dominance in digital rights acquisition has been bolstered by its successful coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2022 and the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. The platform’s achievements include securing digital streaming partnerships with Poker Super League and the ongoing India tour of West Indies 2023. Notably, JioCinema’s subscriber base exceeded 10 million in the first quarter of 2023, and during the IPL 2023 final, it achieved a global record of 3.2 crore concurrent viewers.
Viacom18’s bold strategy to secure the rights to the India-Ireland series has positioned it as a significant player in the live cricket streaming space. This move also indicates the network’s potential interest in acquiring future broadcasting rights, including those for the BCCI home series. The three T20Is of the India-Ireland bilateral series are scheduled for August 18, 20, and 23, offering cricket fans an exciting prelude to the much-anticipated Asia Cup 2023 and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
As Viacom18’s purple patch in sports property acquisition continues, it reaffirms its commitment to delivering top-notch sports content to its audience. The company’s move to secure media rights for the India-Ireland T20Is highlights its strategic focus on sports broadcasting, even as other players tread cautiously with international cricket boards. With JioCinema’s burgeoning success and a slew of captivating cricket fixtures on the horizon, cricket enthusiasts have much to look forward to in the coming months.
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