Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) announces that Viacom18 Media Private Limited has bagged the exclusive media rights of the Indian Super League (ISL) across Digital and Linear TV platforms. The deal has been signed for the next two seasons (ISL 2023-24 and ISL 2024-25), until March 2025.
This marks the end of Star Sports’ monopoly over the ISL broadcasting rights, which it had held since the inception of the league in 2014.
The telecast will be available for football fans in multiple languages such as Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, and Marathi, keeping in mind the diverse audience of the league, and will also be streamed free on JioCinema.
Viacom18’s digital streaming platform JioCinema, which will stream ISL for free, has brought a pioneering viewing experience through the live streaming of properties such as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the IPL and it will continue to bring a similar experience for ISL.
Football Sports Development Limited Spokesperson said, “We are pleased to have Viacom18 as our media rights partner for the Indian Super League. When we set on our journey of ISL, we had the vision to revolutionise the Indian football ecosystem. As we enter our 10th year of growing football in India, it is great to associate with a partner who shares the same vision and believes in growing the consumption of football in the country. Viacom18’s proven record and impact in offering a fan-first football experience to the Indian audience, starting with the FIFA Football World Cup, makes them the best partner as we enter the next decade of growing Indian football.”
Viacom18 Media Private Limited Spokesperson, said, “Winning the streaming and broadcast rights to the ISL is a big step forward for us in the direction of building a glittering stable of footballing action. The ISL has led the resurgence of Indian football in recent years and coming on board with the league as the exclusive media partner enables us to contribute to the development of the sport in the country. We believe this is an exciting time in Indian football and through our extensive presentation of the league we aim to stoke a renewed interest in the heart of every Indian football lover.”
It was also confirmed that the ISL 2023-24 kicks off on September 21 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, with a blockbuster clash between rivals Kerala Blasters FC and Bengaluru FC, as reported by The Sports News. ISL Season 10 will kick off at prime time of 8:00 PM, with double headers starting at 5:30 PM.