The chief executive of Sports at Viacom 18 Media, Anil Jayaraj. fields bouncers, googlies and even an occasional doosra from host Arijit Barman as the battle for eyeballs gets played both on and off the field this season. It’s the first time the media rights are split between Viacom18 and Disney holding the digital and television rights to the Indian Premier League (IPL). Both sides are bowling beamers at each other, claiming superior viewership numbers and each asserting conflicting claims of superiority of their respective platforms. Recently, Viacom 18 even said over 2 crore concurrent viewers watched a game! But after bidding Rs 50 crore per match, adding up to a total Rs 20,500 crore for the next 5 seasons (2023-27) will there be any money left to be made, especially when streaming is free at least for now? To explain the high stakes game, Jayaraj pads up for the power play.

Credits: CNN-News18, Jio Cinema, CNBC-TV18

The chief executive of Sports at Viacom 18 Media, Anil Jayaraj. fields bouncers, googlies and even an occasional doosra from host Arijit Barman as the battle for eyeballs gets played both on and off the field this season. It’s the first time the media rights are split between Viacom18 and Disney holding the digital and television rights to the Indian Premier League (IPL). Both sides are bowling beamers at each other, claiming superior viewership numbers and each asserting conflicting claims of superiority of their respective platforms. Recently, Viacom 18 even said over 2 crore concurrent viewers watched a game! But after bidding Rs 50 crore per match, adding up to a total Rs 20,500 crore for the next 5 seasons (2023-27) will there be any money left to be made, especially when streaming is free at least for now? To explain the high stakes game, Jayaraj pads up for the power play. Credits: CNN-News18, Jio Cinema, CNBC-TV18

Laying bare the business side of all the sports we love - directly from the ones who know it best. CEOs, Coaches, Players, and Agents break it down for you - dazzling deals, broken promises, contracts and conflicts --- on the field and off it, in board rooms. Negotiation masterstrokes or the brutal war over rights - this is the Business of Sports.

Laying bare the business side of all the sports we love - directly from the ones who know it best. CEOs, Coaches, Players, and Agents break it down for you - dazzling deals, broken promises, contracts and conflicts --- on the field and off it, in board rooms. Negotiation masterstrokes or the brutal war over rights - this is the Business of Sports.

Laying bare the business side of all the sports we love - it is game time with Business of Sports.

Business of Sports

The Indian sports industry spend surpassed Rs 9,500 crore in 2021 and is set to post strong growth. Development is taking place on several fronts. PEs, VCs and SPACs are joining the financing bandwagon. Technology and data continue to gain prominence in sports. Mushrooming of professional sports leagues and record-breaking deals, be it auctions, sponsorships, or partnerships.

ET Business of Sports is where industry insiders and decision-makers talk about the business that goes on behind the scenes of your favourite sports. Audio on. Game on.

The Indian sports industry spend surpassed Rs 9,500 crore in 2021 and is set to post strong growth. Development is taking place on several fronts. PEs, VCs and SPACs are joining the financing bandwagon. Technology and data continue to gain prominence in sports. Mushrooming of professional sports leagues and record-breaking deals, be it auctions, sponsorships, or partnerships.
ET Business of Sports is where industry insiders and decision-makers talk about the business that goes on behind the scenes of your favourite sports. Audio on. Game on.

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