Reports: Amazon sets eyes on the ICC media rights for 2024-31 cycle
American e-commerce company Amazon has set its eyes on the International Cricket Council (ICC) media rights. According to reports, the ICC media rights tender, one event a year is suitable for the company’s business strategy. They have planned to sell a year-long subscription and now have got the nod to make a bid for the rights.
The ICC rights are for the cycle 2024-31, and Amazon has had several meetings with the cricket governing body over the last month or so. The most recent one was held in the UK in June, after meetings in the United States (US), India, and United Arab Emirates (UAE). It has been learned that the US firm intends to have a tie-up with a broadcaster so that they can put forward a composite bid as per Cricbuzz reports.
The e-commerce company has been expanding itself in the sports media industry as Prime Videos recently acquired the rights to Europe’s elite club football competition Champions League in the UK. It will share the media rights with BT Group from the 2024-25 season. They have already begun streaming the tennis event, the US Open, and England’s Premier League, which is one of the most popular football leagues in the world.
Association with Sony, Zee possible: Reports
According to the reports, an association with Zee or Sony has not been ruled out despite officials of the two broadcasting companies denying any possibility. Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has formally resolved a 16-year dispute with the Zee group after an Apex Council meeting in Mumbai.
“RESOLVED THAT BCCI shall enter into a memorandum of settlement with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (“Zee”) with regards to the ongoing dispute arising out of the Agreement dated 12th April 2006 entered between BCCI and Zee and presently pending before the Madras High Court and Bombay High Court,” read a statement.
“Pursuant to the memorandum of settlement, all claims counterclaims and/ or disputes of whatsoever nature between BCCI and Zee arising under the Agreement dated 12 April 2006 shall stand settled,” the statement further read.
