FIFA World Cup 2022: Star, Sony left stunned, Reliance backed Viacom 18 bags FIFA World Cup Rights for 450 Cr

FIFA World Cup 2022 – Viacom18 Bags FIFA Rights: Viacom18 has won the media rights for FIFA World Cup for a sum of Rs 450 crore, according to available information. The network has pipped Sony, Star and other bidders to clinch the first big broadcast rights in the territory of the Indian Sub-Continent. This can also be seen as Reliance backed Viacom 18’s entry into sports broadcasting business in India.

It is worth noting that FIFA Rights till 2010 World Cup was with Star Sports Network and was valued at $12 Million USD. In 2012, Sony Sports Network got the rights for 2 cycles i.e 2014 (Rio) & 2018 FIFA World Cups (Russia).

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According to the information available with InsideSport.co – Sony got the rights for two cycles @ the value of USD 80 Million. And now both Sony & Star have been thumped by new entrant Viacom 18.

FIFA World Cup 2022 – Viacom18 Bags FIFA Rights: The rights this time just for 2022 World Cup in Qatar has been licensed to Viacom 18 for whooping 440 Cr i.e USD 60Mn.
FIFA World Cup 2022: Star, Sony left stunned, Reliance backed Viacom 18 bags FIFA World Cup Rights for 450 Cr

Reliance Viacom18 Sports Channel – Anil Jayaraj appointed CEO: As being reported continuously for the last few months, Reliance’s entry into the world of sports-broadcasting is looking like a reality now. Viacom18, a joint venture between American entertainment conglomerate ViacomCBS and Mukesh Ambani’s Network18 has hired Star Sports EVP Ad Sales Anil Jayaraj as CEO of Sports Business. It is worth noting that, Jayaraj has been instrumental in commercially monetizing big cricket properties like Indian Premier League (IPL), BCCI & ICC Cricket for his ex-employers i.e Disney Star Sports.

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Jayaraj had quit Star Sports in July after an almost 6.5 year stint.

FIFA World Cup 2022 – Viacom18 Bags FIFA Rights: Meanwhile the entertainment broadcaster has acquired rights to LaLiga, Italy’s Serie A and France’s Ligue1 and Abu Dhabi T10 league in last few months & it is being speculated that the announcement of the new channel will be made soon.

Reliance Viacom18 Sports Channel: Reliance entry into sports broadcasting becoming reality, Star Sports Sales Head hired as a CEO

Reliance Viacom18 Sports Channel – Anil Jayaraj appointed CEO: The joint venture has become highly active in the sports sector arena in the past few months. It has acquired media rights of various sports leagues for the Indian subcontinent & it is being speculated that they will surely throw their hat in the ring for forthcoming IPL Media rights tender, ICC & BCCI rights.

Why Reliance’s entry into Sports-Broadcasting looking like a reality? Not only Anil but in past few months various executives from the rival networks have already been offered roles for the new sports channel. As reported recently by InsideSport.co, Disney+ Hotstar SVP & Head of Advertising, Gulshan Verma has joined JioAds as CEO.

It is worth noting that Viacom 18 in which Network18’s broadcasting subsidiary TV18 owns a majority stake (also owned by Reliance) had recently acquired the rights of LaLiga, Italy’s Serie A and France’s Ligue1 and Abu Dhabi T10 league.

Other than this events like Road Safety World Series, Carabao Cup and few other rights are also in the portfolio of the network.

Reliance interests in Sports:

Reliance has emerged as one of the key player in the Indian Sports industry via its on-ground, marketing, sporting IP’s initiatives –

– Reliance owns IPL team Mumbai Indians
– Reliance owned entity owns Indian Super League (ISL)
– Reliance also had a Joint Venture in India with Global Sports Marketing giants IMG. The entity is now 100% owned by the Indian promoters and is called RISE
– Reliance promoted – Reliance JIO has weaved in partnerships with various sports rights including BCCI Rights to be streamed on their platform.
– Reliance Jio also had placed direct bids for both IPL Rights & BCCI digital rights in past.

In an recent interview when Nina Elavia Jaipuria, Head of Hindi Mass Entertainment at Viacom 18 Media was asked the question, ‘Will Viacom18 launch its sports channel sometime soon?’ She replied saying, “We are always exploring white spaces.”

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She further added, “We are getting into sports to evoke emotion, to establish ourselves as a wholesome entertainer. However, launching a sports portfolio is a tough, expensive business call as it has a very high entry barrier and a lot of it has to be measured before you take that call. It has to be a serious, strategic long-term discussion.”

FIFA World Cup 2022 – Viacom18 Bags FIFA Rights: BCCI will be releasing the tender of media rights for the next cycle of IPL Rights before the end of this year and don’t be surprised if Reliance backed Viacom18 will be seen fighting it out with Sony, DisneyStar and others for the marquee event in future.