 "Facebook, Amazon, Twitter among bidders for IPL media rights")
New Delhi: Social networking giants Twitter and Facebook are among the 18 entities that have purchased the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the lucrative Indian Premier League’s (IPL) media rights (broadcast, digital and mobile).
“The Indian Premier League Media Right ITT has received a massive response from the leading media and technology companies. The ITT document was available for purchase from 19 September to 18 October, 2016,” the BCCI said in a statement.
The rights on offer are Indian sub-continent television rights from 2018 to 2027 (10 IPL seasons), Indian sub-continent digital rights from 2018 to 2022 (five IPL seasons) and rest of the world media rights from 2018 to 2022 (five IPL seasons).
The media rights bid submission process will take place on 25 October.
“This is going to be a historical (sic) moment for Indian cricket. I am pleased to see the overwhelming response from the media and technology companies for IPL Media Rights,” BCCI president Anurag Thakur said.
“With the global trends of showcasing content on multiple platforms becoming increasingly important - TV, internet and mobile rights are up for grabs together this time. To have as many as 18 prospective bidders in the fray reinstates the faith of market forces in Indian Premier League,” he added.
Apart from Twitter and Facebook, others in fray are Star India Private Limited, Sony Pictures Networks Private Limited and Reliance Jio Digital Services Private Limited.
According to sources, BCCI is expecting close to $4.5 billion from sale of these three rights – TV, internet and mobile.
“This is a significant step for the board, and we are excited to have 18 prospective bidders for IPL Media Rights. Our intention is to ensure the most comprehensive coverage of the IPL across the globe,” BCCI Secretary Ajay Shirke said.
IPL Media Rights ITT gets massive response. Here's the list of entities that have purchased the ITT. Details - https://t.co/JEw6evsJjG pic.twitter.com/hMBF6ac6V5
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 18, 2016
The complete list of entities that have purchased the ITT is are: Star India Pvt Ltd. Amazon Seller Services Pvt Ltd, Followon Interactive Media Pvt Ltd, Taj TV India Pvt Ltd, Sony Pictures Networks Pvt Ltd, Times Internet Ltd, Supersport International (Pty) Ltd, Reliance Jio Digital Services Pvt Ltd, Gulf DTH FZ LLC, GroupM Media India Pvt Ltd, beIN IP Ltd, Econet Media Ltd, SKY UK Ltd, ESPN Digital Media (India) Pvt Ltd, BTG Legal Services, BT PLC Twitter Inc, Facebook Inc.
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