Zee licenses ICC TV rights from Disney Star

Disney Star and ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEE) today announced that they have entered into a strategic licensing agreement. Through this agreement Disney Star will grant ZEE a four-year licence for the television broadcasting rights of the Men’s and Under 19 (U-19) global events of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Through its online portal Disney+ Hotstar, Disney Star will continue to serve as the exclusive place to view all ICC competitions. This agreement has received preliminary approval from ICC. Through this partnership, ZEE is given the unique right to broadcast ICC men’s events, including the highly anticipated ICC Men’s T20 World Cup (2024, 2026), ICC Men’s Champions Trophy (2025), and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup (2027), as well as significant ICC U-19 competitions.

“The association with Disney Star reflects our sharp, strategic vision for the sports business in India. As a one-stop television destination for ICC men’s cricket events until 2027, ZEE will leverage the strength of its network to offer a compelling experience for its viewers and a great return on investment for its advertisers,”

SAID PUNIT GOENKA, MD & CEO, ZEE ENTERTAINMENT ENTERPRISES LTD

According to a joint statement by Disney Star and ZEE, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has, in principle, approved the arrangement. The statement further said that the arrangement enables ZEE to be the exclusive television rights holder of ICC men’s events, including the coveted ICC Men’s T20 World Cup (2024, 2026), ICC Men’s Champions Trophy (2025), and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup (2027) along with key ICC U-19 events.

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Disney Star also holds the Broadcasting rights for Cricket Australia too

On the other hand, K. Madhavan, country manager & president, Disney Star, said that they are presenting a balanced and robust cricket offering for our audiences across linear and digital.

“By securing the IPL television broadcast rights for 2024-27 and now opting to retain only the digital rights for ICC tournaments for 2024-27, we have in place a balanced and robust cricket offering for our audiences across linear and digital,”

SAID MADHAVAN.

Disney Star currently holds the television rights for the IPL (2023–27), television and digital rights for Cricket Australia (2023–2030), television and digital BCCI rights (2023), and television and digital rights for Cricket South Africa in addition to the ICC digital rights for the upcoming four years (end of 2024-2024). Along with cricket, it also owns other properties on its platforms, including the Pro Kabaddi League, the Indian Super League, the Wimbledon Championship, and the English Premier League.