Zee Entertainment has secured the rights to broadcast the 2026 and 2030 World Cups, as well as the 2027 Women’s World Cup in India. The deal covers a total of 39 FIFA tournaments until 2034, marking a significant move for Zee in the Indian sports broadcast market. The agreement comes after FIFA initially sought about $100m before reducing the asking price to $60m. The kickoff times for the upcoming World Cup games have raised concerns for Indian broadcasters due to the significant time difference between host cities and India, with only 14 out of 104 matches starting before midnight for Indian fans.
Why It Matters
The deal between FIFA and Zee Entertainment to broadcast a series of World Cup tournaments in India signifies a major development in the country’s sports broadcast landscape. With the increasing popularity of digital platforms for sports content consumption in India, this agreement highlights the challenges faced by traditional TV broadcasters. The timing of the matches poses a hurdle for broadcasters due to the late-night schedule for Indian viewers, reflecting the evolving preferences and viewing habits of sports audiences in the region.
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