Sony bags Asian Cricket Council media rights till 2031 for $170 mn

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Friday announced that Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), a part of Japan’s Sony Group Corporation, had bagged the media rights for all ACC tournaments from 2024 to 2031.

The deal includes broadcasting and digital rights for all ACC tournaments over the next eight years. It marks over a 70 per cent increase from the previous media rights cycle and highlights the growing global stature and appetite for ACC Asia Cup tournaments, both parties said in a joint statement.

Star India had the media rights till 2023. The deal encompasses all editions of men’s and women’s Asia Cups, men’s and women’s Under-19 Asia Cups, and the men’s and women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cups, the joint statement said.

“With Sony Pictures Networks India as our new media partner, we are confident in their ability to deliver world-class coverage and an immersive viewing experience for fans worldwide,” Jay Shah, president, ACC, said in a statement.

“With Sony’s extensive expertise in the broadcasting industry, we are excited to embark on this new partnership. Sony’s expertise and innovative approach promise to bring a fresh perspective to the coverage of Asian cricket, reaching new audiences and setting new benchmarks,” he said.

A substantial increase in rights value will enable the ACC to channel significant resources into grassroots programmes, infrastructure development, and talent pathways, especially for associate nations, he added.

Gaurav Banerjee, managing director and chief executive officer SPNI, said: “We are delighted to bring these action-packed tournaments, which will also include India and Pakistan matches, to our viewers for the next 8 years.”

“ACC tournaments have created unforgettable moments and set the stage for the most intense Asian Cricket rivalries. We eagerly look forward to sharing the thrill and spirit of these matches with cricket fans,” he was quoted as saying in the media. Business Standard