Star India won the IPL 2018 media rights in a BCCI auction held on Monday, September 4, 2017, beating Sony with a record Rs 16,347.50 crore bid. The deal covers TV and digital in India for five seasons from 2018 to 2022, shifting telecast from Sony to Star Sports and Hotstar. Fans want to know what changes, who can watch where, and why this record sum resets IPL broadcasting.
Star India Deal for IPL 2018 to 2022
Star India will broadcast IPL 2018 to 2022 on TV and digital in India after placing the highest bid of Rs 16,347.50 crore. The agreement spans five seasons and consolidates coverage across Star Sports on television and Hotstar on streaming. This ends a decade of IPL telecast under Sony.
From 2008 to 2017, Sony Pictures Network held IPL broadcast rights for Rs 8,200 crore. The new sum more than doubles the earlier cycle, showing the growth of the league and the value of live cricket in India.
The auction drew wide interest, with 24 companies showing intent to secure the IPL 2018 media rights. The final outcome places both TV and digital under a single network for the next five years.
TV and Digital Rights Scope
The winning package includes live television coverage on Star Sports channels and live streaming on Hotstar for viewers in India. Matches will stream on Hotstar and air on Star Sports channels across the country.
With consolidated TV and digital rights, Star can align schedules, pre match shows, highlights, and on demand clips across platforms. Viewers should expect tighter programming and unified branding around the IPL 2018 season.
Industry watchers note that Star has expanded its sports focus, which can support multi platform features like real time stats and shoulder content within the limits of licensing terms.
BCCI Media Rights Auction Details
The BCCI conducted the IPL 2018 media rights auction on September 4, 2017. The winning bid was Rs 16,347.50 crore, the highest total ever for IPL media rights at the time. Sony placed a competing offer of Rs 11,050 crore for the five year cycle but finished behind Star.
| Participant | Bid Amount | Rights | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star India | Rs 16,347.50 crore | TV and digital | Winner |
| Sony Pictures Network | Rs 11,050 crore | TV and digital | Runner up |
| ESPN | Not submitted | N A | No bid |
| Yahoo | Not submitted | N A | No bid |
| Other interested companies | Not disclosed | Various interests | Participated |
The official IPL Twitter handle shared the final amount after the auction, confirming Star as the rights holder for 2018 to 2022. This result sets the framework for IPL scheduling, production, and distribution for the next five seasons.
How and Where to Watch IPL 2018
Viewers in India can follow the tournament on Star Sports for TV and on Hotstar for online streaming. Fans should look to Star Sports and Hotstar as the only official platforms for live IPL coverage in India.
- Star Sports TV channels in India
- Hotstar mobile app on Android and iOS
- Hotstar website on desktop and laptop
IPL telecast will no longer appear on Sony channels during the 2018 to 2022 cycle. This shift consolidates commentary teams, studio shows, and match highlights under Star production.
Third party score services may adjust their update workflows during live play based on rights rules. Reports also suggested stricter action on illegal streaming and unlicensed apps, with enforcement notices expected from rights holders.
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