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]ICC Confirms JioHotstar as Official Broadcaster for T20 World Cup 2026
by K D Mishra
The International Cricket Council (ICC) and JioStar have released a joint statement to refute the idea that their media rights relation has been prematurely terminated. JioStar has purchased the rights for ICC events in India over a period from 2024-2025 for a total of $3.0 billion.
JioStar is reported to be having financial difficulties and is looking to end its agreement with the ICC, resulting in the ICC needing to find a new media rights partner by the start of the 2026 T20 World Cup which will take place jointly between India and Sri Lanka.
After posting a request for bids for media rights for the period of 2026 - 2029, various media outlets have reported that it will decrease the media rights fee from $3.0 billion to $2.4 billion. Reports have also stated that the ICC has approached organisations such as Sony Sports Network, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video to help fulfil the remaining two years of the contract with JioStar.
Moreover, there have been claims made to the effect that Prasar Bharati wished to take over the media rights from JioStar, but as with the previous reports, there appears to be little in the way of factual backing for this claim.
According to a joint statement released today by the ICC and JioStar, the ICC's deal with JioStar will continue as planned. "Recent media coverage that addresses or discusses the status of the ICC's media rights agreement with JioStar is not representative of either party. The ICC has a valid, existing contract with JioStar. JioStar is still the ICC's official partner in providing media coverage in India, and any claims of a withdrawal are not true," says the joint statement.
JioStar is wholly dedicated to meeting its obligations as stipulated within the contract, as well as its obligations in spirit. The ICC and JioStar, as well as their respective fans in India, see their commitment to delivering an uninterrupted level of service in providing fans with world-class media coverage during all ICC events, including the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which is one of cricket's most watched and anticipated global events.
The ongoing preparations for these events remain on track, and there is no disruption to current viewers, advertisers, or industry partners due to these preparations. As long-standing commercial partners, the ICC and JioStar continue to discuss their business relationship and establish ways that they can partner to promote the growth of cricket in India.
