The Indian Premier League television rights in India have changed hands after 10 years. Star India, who previously just had the digital rights, made a single consolidated offer for rights worldwide for an astronomical sum of Rs 16347.5 crore (US$ 2.55 billion) for the duration of next five years – 2018 to 2022.
That, of course, means that Sony India – the brand that has been perennially associated with IPL since it’s inception – will no longer be part of the two-month cricket extravaganza.
Here is the one tweet that explains the breakdown of the bids from various parties:
Here are the final figures for IPL Media Rights for the period from 2018-2022. #IPLMediaRights pic.twitter.com/2y1m0X4701
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) September 4, 2017
But, of course, the cricket community was abuzz with reaction to this development:
So, the #IPL moves home. To Star for a huge bid. 16,347 crores. About 2.5 billion dollars!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 4, 2017
Sony execs after losing #iplmediarights to Star pic.twitter.com/291RruO4Jt
— cricBC (@cricBC) September 4, 2017
star will pay half a billion dollars per year for five years for IPL - it is a staggering amount of money #iplmediarights
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) September 4, 2017
End of an era. End of Extraa Innings. Hopefully we won't have to see Danny Morrison dancing around and lifting IPL anchors.
— Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) September 4, 2017
Star to shell out $2.5b!In 2009,Sony paid approx $1.3b (8200 cr) for TV rights for 9yrs & Star paid $450m for mobile rights for 2015-17 #IPL https://t.co/SXrHFXoZ6h
— Sameer Hashmi (@sameerhashmi) September 4, 2017
Star now has rights of ICC events, Indian national team's home season, India's domestic cricket season and IPL.
— Vipul (@Sporty_Baba) September 4, 2017
Stars were playing in IPL.
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) September 4, 2017
Now it looks like IPL will play in Star.#IPLMediaRights
So Star India spent a small amount of Rs. 16,347 crores to telecast Rohit Sharma lifting yet another title. #IPLMediaRights
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) September 4, 2017
Star's global bid is twice as high than sum of all their individual bids. Thats what won it. One shot and boom... End game! #IPLMediaRights https://t.co/hXQwbLhWwa
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) September 4, 2017
Swinging Shami will become Unbelievable Unadkat!!#iplmediarights
— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) September 4, 2017
Given the size of the IPL rights sale, I'm now waiting for the Indian players to strike to ensure a #FairShare for Ranji Trophy players
— Dennis Does Pakistan (@DennisCricket_) September 4, 2017
That's roughly US$ 2.5 billions, with a B!
— Dhaval Panchal (@dhavalmpanchal) September 4, 2017
😱 https://t.co/g9APQZAxLc
Compunctions about monopolies (in any sphere) not unfounded. That's why BCCI governance will have to be more rigorous #IPLrights #StarIndia
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 4, 2017
And a familiar voice...
Amazing to see #Sony bid 11050 cr for India @facebook bid 3900 cr for digital rights That's the power of #IPL brand #iplmediarights pic.twitter.com/j3Ff57NIwv
— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) September 4, 2017
But perhaps the best of the lot:
Star Sports bags the #IPLmediaRights . Meanwhile, Sony Max retains the rights of Sooryavansham.
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) September 4, 2017