JioStar Denies Exit Reports, Confirms $3 Billion Broadcasting Deal with ICC to Continue Till 2027
Putting all rumours to rest, JioStar and the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday officially confirmed that the ongoing four-year broadcasting partnership worth $3 billion (USD) remains intact. The joint statement from both organizations clarified that reports hinting at JioStar’s exit from the deal were “completely inaccurate.”
Last week, several media outlets reported that JioStar had decided to withdraw from its agreement due to mounting financial losses. Some reports even suggested that ICC was exploring new partnerships with giants like Sony, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video. However, the latest announcement from JioStar and ICC has now completely dismissed those claims.
Official Statement from ICC and JioStar
In a joint statement issued on 12 December (Friday), the ICC and JioStar said,
“The ICC and JioStar have noted recent media reports concerning the status of the ICC's media rights agreement in India. These reports do not reflect the position of either organisation. The existing agreement between the ICC and JioStar remains fully in force, and JioStar continues as the ICC's official media rights partner in India.”
The announcement makes it official — JioStar will continue to broadcast all ICC events, including the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to take place in less than three months.
JioStar to Telecast T20 World Cup 2026
Reassuring cricket fans across India, JioStar further stated that it is fully committed to its contractual obligations. The company said it would continue delivering uninterrupted, high-quality coverage of major ICC events.
“Preparations for these events are progressing exactly as planned, and there is no impact on viewers, advertisers, or industry partners,” the company added. “As long-term commercial partners, ICC and JioStar remain focused on growing the sport and expanding its audience globally.”
Inside the $3 Billion ICC–JioStar Deal
The ICC awarded its India broadcast rights for the 2024–2027 cycle to JioStar (formerly Star India) in 2023, securing a deal valued at ₹25,000 crore (approximately $3 billion USD). Under the agreement, JioStar pays around ₹6,000 crore annually for exclusive broadcast and digital rights in the Indian market.
However, the media company has recorded significant financial losses in recent years due to a steep decline in advertising revenue. The government’s ban on real-money gaming apps such as Dream11, a major sponsor, hit broadcasting income hard. JioStar reportedly faced a ₹12,319 crore loss last year, which further increased to ₹25,760 crore this fiscal year.
Industry experts believe that the official clarification from JioStar and ICC puts an end to speculation about the deal’s future. For cricket fans, it’s good news — the T20 World Cup 2026 and other ICC tournaments will continue to be televised by JioStar without disruption.
