The BCCI on Monday announced that Viacom 18 had grabbed the media rights for the upcoming Women's IPL for a whopping Rs 951 crore for five years, pipping other bidders, including Disney Star and Sony, in the auction.
The BCCI on Monday announced that Viacom 18 had grabbed the media rights for the upcoming Women's IPL for a whopping Rs 951 crore for five years, pipping other bidders, including Disney Star and Sony, in the auction. The cricket board conducted the auction for the T20 League in Mumbai on Monday.
Global rights comprise three categories -- linear (TV), digital and combined (TV and digital). In the men's IPL, individual rights are sold across regions.
According to BCCI secretary Jay Shah, the fee per match will come to Rs 7.09 crore for the next five years.
"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," Shah tweeted.
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 empowerment of women's cricket in India, which will ensure participation of women from all ages. A new dawn indeed!
— Jay Shah (@JayShah)"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," read his other tweet.
The inaugural Women's IPL will likely begin in the first week of March. Five teams will compete and all the matches will be held in Mumbai.
Viacom18 had won the IPL digital rights for Rs 23,758 crore, while Disney Star had retained the TV rights for Rs 23,575 crore for five years starting in 2023 during a three-day auction held in June 2022.
Cricketers and fans applauded this 'game-changer' for women's cricket, with some even adding that they are looking forward to the T20 tournament.
Former Indian skipper Mithali Raj noted, "The Women's IPL will be a game-changer for women's cricket and cricket in general. This development represents a significant milestone in that regard. Looking forward to an outstanding tournament. @BCCI, @BCCIWomen, @JayShah Sir."
Meanwhile, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik stated, "This is great news . Well done @JayShah and @BCCI. Womens cricket for the win."
"This is so heartening and a testimony to the credibility and growth of Women’s Cricket. Am so delighted. Hats off to @bcciwomen and all the best to @viacom18," noted Indian women's pacer Jhulan Goswami
"A small step for man. A giant leap for womenkind," said one fan, while another added, "Such wonderful news it is. This will take women's cricket to a whole new level. Super proud. Congratulations, lads."
Here's a look at some of the other reactions:
The Women's IPL will be a game-changer for women's cricket and cricket in general. This development represents a significant milestone in that regard. Looking forward to an outstanding tournament. , , Sir. https://t.co/7kQ2vgPwRx
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03)Well done and what a game changer for Women's cricket!👏🏻👏🏻 https://t.co/e4fgIUr0f2
— Danevn81 (@Danevn811)A small step for man. A giant leap for womenkind 💪 https://t.co/dtC4k7g9kM
— Blissclub (@myblissclub)Such wonderful news it is. This will take women's cricket to whole new level. Super proud. Congratulations lads.❤🙌 https://t.co/dH36dKAx6x
— Stunning Shivangi (@panditldki)Wonderful news! Lets hope it spurs womens cricket on to bigger and bigger things! https://t.co/Om4fQPrPa0
— Rahul Puri (@rahulpuri)This is great news . Well done and
Womens cricket for the win ❤️ https://t.co/zliWLNt4cA
😲 game changer… sport changer!!! This is massive in so many ways. https://t.co/Lpv9esJj7t
— Mel Jones (@meljones_33)Another fine 👌step towards gender balance, feeling happy for team👏 https://t.co/s1fC4bS1WF pic.twitter.com/77V980VqJJ
— praneh (@pranehchordia)This is so heartening and a testimony to the credibility and growth of Women’s Cricket. Am so delighted. Hats off to and all the best to https://t.co/KT3rsZ4da2
— Jhulan Goswami (@JhulanG10)Incredible news for the women’s game 🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/xxCPxKIydi
— Marizanne Kapp (@kappie777)This is so good 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 https://t.co/i4Y7ewOK5D
— Alexandra Hartley (@AlexHartley93)Indeed a historic day for Women's cricket. I thought max would be 300-400 Cr. Congratulations to all the Women cricketers, BCCI and other stakeholders involved. I hope WIPL becomes as successful as Men's IPL. https://t.co/5ddx07R9qC
— Shashank (@Shashank97says)Indian women deserve this. We must pool more talent for future series and play authoritative cricket like the Australian and English women's teams.
Jay Shah also deserves some appreciation for pulling off this number for them while negotiating with the broadcasters. https://t.co/1RBXbDP590
Amazing!!!!! Hopefully a “Game Changer” for women’s game not just in India but around the world! https://t.co/2ICXPJwwyw
— Prajakta Gharpure (@prajigharpure09)Huge 🙌 https://t.co/uKzNVeYZ3N
— Isa Guha (@isaguha)Some historic achievements and a solid road map has been laid for the women’s cricket and its future 👏🏼👏🏼 https://t.co/m1B4lwIcRr
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha)Congratulations for winning Women’s media rights. Thank you for your faith in & . Viacom’s commitment will be a game changer for Women’s Cricket, bringing in unprecedented viewership and popularity, making each player an household name!
— Adv. Ashish Shelar - ॲड. आशिष शेलार (@ShelarAshish)🚨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/QgWM0IWCDV