Disney Star signs a seven-year deal with Cricket Australia

Media giants Disney Star have bagged the rights to broadcast the Australian cricket matches in India and other territories of Asia. The deal will encompass both TV and digital rights. 

Cricket Australia (CA) took to Twitter to announce the latest development. The seven-year deal will begin from 2023/24, which will see Star telecasting men’s and women’s matches, and the BBL and WBBL as well. 

In 2017, CA signed a six-year deal with Sony Sports Network, which will see them broadcasting matches until 2023. 

A three-member delegation team of CA arrived in India during IPL 2022 to meet the broadcasters like Disney Star, and Viacom 18. 

CA CEO Nick Hockley speaks on the announcement

"We are delighted to announce this new association with Disney Star from season 2023-24 onwards. Disney Star is synonymous with the game in India and we look forward to working with them to showcase the outstanding cricket played in Australia every summer,” said Hockley. 

Disney Star beats Sony by a big margin

CA was said to be close to finalizing an extension of the deal with Sony, for a little increase in the fee of $150 million, from the 2017 contract. 

However, Disney Star had their coffers full after failing to acquire the digital rights for IPL 2023-27.  

They used the leftover amount to good effect and reportedly put forward a proposal of $360 million to CA. The amount was good enough for the board to end their search for the broadcasters of the matches in an important market.